About this webinar
Date: December 10, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Facilitator: Karine Silverwoman, MSW, RSW.
CE hours: 3
This training is suitable for:
- Mental Health Professionals: psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, social workers.
- Medical Professionals: nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, family doctors.
- Educators: teachers, ECE, school administration, support staff.
- Direct Service Workers: drop in workers, shelter and hostel workers, child and youth workers, youth justice workers.
- First Responders: police, firefighters, paramedics.
Level of Training: Introductory/intermediate
Trigger warning: Participating in our programming may evoke powerful feelings and can trigger participants who have experienced personal trauma. The facilitator aims to embody trauma-informed practice in the training. There will be plenty of breaks, pauses and moments to check-in about self care.
Description: Sexual assault (SA) and violence (SV) are distressing and traumatic experiences that can leave psychological, emotional and physical scars on the survivors, affecting all walks of their lives.
Through the dedicated efforts of activist and survivor-led movements, the deeply entrenched issue of SA and SV in our society has been brought into the spotlight. As a result, it is imperative to support professionals with the necessary tools and resources required to work with survivors in a compassionate, supportive, and trauma-informed manner.
In this training, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to support survivors from a trauma-informed, strength-based and social justice lens. The topic will be understood and taught from a clinical, social, and political lens while centring the experiences of survivors. Meaningful and reflective tools will be explored on how to work with and support survivors with skill, care and compassion. The workshop will explore ways to center survivors, understand elements of consent, learn healing approaches and risk assessment for safety concerns. Participants will engage with how to sustain and support themselves as they do this important work.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the impacts of sexual assault (SA) from a clinical, social and political lens on survivors and communities.
- Grasp the impacts of trauma – gain insights into the emotional, psychological and physical effects of survivors, considering both short-term and long-term impacts.
- Understand the core ideas and principles of trauma-informed care in relation to working with survivors.
- Explore consent, disclosures and risk assessment.
- Deepen trauma-informed skills and understand the impact of SA.
- Find ways to support and sustain oneself in the work of supporting survivors.
- Engage in a survivor-centred approach – emphasize the importance of placing survivors at the center of all responses and support services.
- Support survivors from a compassionate trauma-informed and intersectional lens.
What our learners have to say about this course
"As Canadians we need to safeguard our mental heath, and understand injuries and subsequent trauma across all domains in our country from education to medical and social services etc... We have the knowledge to do much better and at no time has this been more important than now. This knowledge is fundamental to our humanity to care for ourselves and each other."
- Lois Hart, MSc. (cert) OAHMP, Registered Psychotherpist, certified EMDR practitioner for trauma, Attendee, You are not alone: Exploring ways to support survivors of sexual assault and violence.
"I'm so glad I made it to this class. I now have concrete tools I can immediately bring into my clinical practice where I support queer and trans folks in sexuality and relationships. Karine's presence was sturdy and grounded, while offering levity and gentle curiosity as she navigated us through the challenging field of sexual trauma."
- Susie Showers, MA, C.C.C, Creative Arts Therapist, Attendee, You are not alone: Exploring ways to support survivors of sexual assault and violence.
Continuing Education (CE) Information: SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer continuing education (CE) hours. Full-day programs equal six CE hours; half-day programs equal three CE hours; for less than half-day programs, one hour of programming equals one CE hour. SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute maintains responsibility for the programs.
Other licensing boards and professional organizations will grant continuing education credits for attendance at their own discretion; participants will need to submit the course outline and Certificate of Participation for their consideration.
Registration closes
If registration has closed and you're still interested in joining this course, please contact Mary Anne at mvanrooyen@sickkidscmhlearning.ca
Accessibility
We strive to ensure our online learning programs are easy for everyone, everywhere. If you have any accessibility requirements (closed-captioning, ASL interpreters, advanced access to program materials), please email Mary Anne Van Rooyen at mvanrooyen@sickkidscmhlearning.ca to let us know how we can best support your learning experience.
Photography is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted in the content is a model, except where indicated.