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19 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,July 21,2022 insidehalton.com 1276 Cornwall Road, Unit C, Oakville Ontario, L6J 7W5 T: 905-845-0767 • F: 905-845-5552 • www.haxelllaw.com • lawyers@haxelllaw.com Personal Professional Service at Competitive Rates Buying? Selling? Re Call us for a quote at 905-845-0767 ext. 223Jameson Glas 905-845-0767 ext. 223Jameson Glas GOLD WINNER 202221 ✓ Patient Counselling ✓ Complete Diabetic Care ✓ Home Visits ✓ Consultations ✓ Free RX Delivery ✓ Free Nutrition Counselling ✓ Vaccinations ✓ Cholesterol, A1C, AFib and DNA Screening DE RANGO PHARMACY INC. Always Here to Help You! PLATINUMPLATINUMPLA WINNER 2021 478 Dundas Street West 905-257-9737 2501 Third Line 905-465-3000 Pharmacist - Fabio De Rango Drug Store/Pharmacy www.shoppersdrugmart.ca NOW OPEN 24 HRS EVERY DAY 255 Dundas St. E.,Waterdown (in Sobey's Plaza) www.qualityappliances.ca • 905-689-0506 QualityQuality HomeHome AppliancesAppliances Inc.Inc. (Since(Since 1968)1968) serving the appliances needs of Flamborough and surround area Monday- Thursday 9am-5pm • Friday 9am-8pm • Sat 9-5 *Extended Hours Available By Appointment ward misner July 22 & 23/2022 Two Day Only Sale! "Christmas In July" MAYTAG 20 CUFT UPRIGHT FREEZER FROST FREE WHITE Model# MZF34X20DW 2 Days Only!!! 10 Year Compressor Warranty Reg. $1499.00 Our Sale $1149.00 Save $350.00 LIMITED QUANTITIES A special committee cre- ated with the help of Halton police is working to make things better for survivors of sexual assault. The Halton Police Board discussed the Sexual As- sault Advisory Committee (SAAC) of Halton during its Thursday, June 30 meeting. The committee was cre- ated by Halton police and several external stakehold- ers following a 2017 resolu- tion by the board to under- take a review of how sexual assault cases are handled by Halton police. The resolution also not- ed the board would work in collaboration with local community and justice partners; to ensure victims of sexual assault are pro- vided a timely and digni- fied response, the best sup-fied response, the best sup-f port possible from the po- lice service, and that the process is comprehensive, fair and respectful.fair and respectful.f This work was prompt- ed after questions arose about the number of sexual assaults Halton police clas- sified as "unfounded" in 2016. In a report to the board, Halton Police Chief Ste- phen Tanner noted the SAAC is comprised of members of a number of community agencies that work directly to support survivors of sexual assault, including: Thrive Counsel- ling, Sexual Assault and Vi- olence Intervention Servic- es of Halton (SAVIS), Radi- us Child and Youth Servic- es, Halton Women's Place, Halton Violence Preven- tion Council, Joseph Brant Hospital -- Nina's Place, Ministry of the Attorney General, Halton police -- Victim Services Unit, andVictim Services Unit, andV the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Toronto. Tanner noted the com- mittee works as a collective voice to enhance the over- all response to incidents of sexual assault to ensure survivors feel empowered, supported and believed. The report noted the Halton SAAC continues to meet monthly to prioritize collaborative work with Halton police to improve police response to survi- vors of sexual assault. In response to the im- pact of the COVID-19 pan- demic, the committee has reprioritized its activities and attention over the past year toward increasing community engagement as well as training/education. In 2020, police said the committee received fund- ing from the Halton Region Community Investment Fund to create the "Survi- vors Voices" website. The regionwide plat- form features a sexual as-form features a sexual as-f sault information guide, which lets survivors know what their options are with respect to reporting, the court process, and the sup- ports available to them. Tanner noted in the re- port that the website also features an overview re-features an overview re-f port that captures the work of the Sexual Assault Advi- sory Committee, including case review recommenda- tions and in-service train- ing for Halton police offi- cers. The website also fea- tures a confidential forum for survivors to providefor survivors to providef feedback about their expe-feedback about their expe-f rience. For more information, visit https://survivorsvoic- es.ca. The SAAC has also de- livered training to all Hal- ton police officers in an ef- fort to increase the level offort to increase the level off awareness and under-awareness and under-a standing among all officers with respect to several key concepts related to sexual assault including the neu- robiology of trauma and rape myths. "The Halton Regional Police Service continues to be grateful for the engage- ment and commitment of the members of the com- mittee," said Tanner in the report to the board. "Through professional collaboration as well as the sharing of their own expe- rience and unique perspec- tive, it has allowed the Hal- ton Regional Police Service to greatly enhance the sup- ports for survivors through the utilization of a trauma informed/victim centric response." POLICE PRAISE WORK OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVISORY COMMITTEE DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com NEWS A STRONGER VOICE We recognize that diversity is the strength of our communities and we are inviting you to share your voice in our publications. INSIDEHALTON.COM/COMMUNITYDIVERSITY