SASKATCHEWAN — Every May since 2024, Saskatchewan marks Sexual Violence Prevention Month, but advocates say this year’s message carries even greater urgency: preventing sexual violence requires leadership at every level of society.
Across the province, Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS), its 17 member agencies, community partners and the Government of Saskatchewan are uniting under the 2026 theme, One Act of Leadership, a campaign focused on turning everyday actions into meaningful prevention.
Officials say Saskatchewan continues to report some of the highest rates of sexual violence in Canada, a reality that frontline organizations describe as both persistent and deeply systemic. Research from SASS shows the issue is rooted in overlapping social factors, including inequality, trauma, substance use and harmful norms around gender and power.
“Sexual Violence Prevention Month is a critical reminder that prevention is a shared responsibility,” said Kerrie Isaac, executive director of SASS. “When leaders in workplaces, schools, communities or government prioritize prevention and collaborate with local experts, they help create safer and more accountable environments.”
Isaac says leadership does not have to be large-scale to be meaningful. It can start with conversations about consent, supporting someone who discloses harm, or ensuring policies in workplaces reflect safety and respect.
Public data and research from SASS highlight the scale of the challenge. One widely cited analysis estimates that one in three women and one in six men will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, with most incidents occurring between people who know each other.
The organization also points to ongoing links between sexual violence and other crises, including mental health challenges and substance use, which can both increase vulnerability and intensify harm.
Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod says the province continues to invest in prevention and survivor supports, calling it a key public safety priority.
“Protecting Saskatchewan means taking action to prevent sexual violence and ensuring survivors have access to meaningful supports,” McLeod said. “Through continued investment and strong partnerships, we are working to keep communities safe and hold offenders accountable.”
Throughout May, SASS is encouraging residents, organizations and leaders to engage directly with prevention initiatives, training opportunities and local sexual violence support services.
Advocates say the message is simple but urgent: change does not depend on one system or one policy alone.
“When individuals, communities, organizations and systems act together, that is when real change happens,” Isaac said. “That is how we build a Saskatchewan where survivors are believed, children are protected, and people can live without fear.”
