New project to examine risk of sex assault for women who attend mass gatherings

Women's College HospitalJun 28 2014

Nearly one quarter of women are likely to be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime. Now, a new project funded by Women's College Research Institute will examine the risk of sex assault for women who attend mass gatherings like concerts or sporting events. The project, led by researchers at the Ottawa Hospital, is one of 26 innovative research initiatives awarded $15,000 or more through Women College Research Institute's $15K Challenge.

The $15K Challenge, encourages individuals to partner with organizations and academics to develop projects and conduct research to benefit women and girls in communities across the province. Funded projects, to be profiled June 20 at the Women's Health Research: Challenges and Opportunities event, include:

• Sexual Assault and Mass Gatherings (the Ottawa Hospital Sexual Assault Partner Abuse Care Program): Assessment of the risk of sexual assault for women who attend mass gatherings such as sporting events or concerts.
• Ladies Who Lunch (Centre Wellington Food Bank): To determine how weekly lunch dates for socially isolated low-income seniors can assist in reducing isolation and improve health.
• Understanding Women's Reactions to Eating Disorder Prevention Messages (York University): A study to examine how women react to eating disorder prevention messages and are they effective?
• Physical Activity in South Asian Women (Women's College Hospital): The impact of a women's only exercise program in a mosque, the first-of-its-kind in Canada.
• Enhancing Healthcare for Marginalized Sex Workers Through a Community-Based Approach: Possibility or Pipe Dream? (Street Health)

"Women's College Research Institute is excited by the projects that will be funded by the $15K Challenge," said Paula Rochon, vice-president of research at Women's College Research Institute. "Our hope is that these innovative projects will advance the health outcomes for girls and women in our communities while building strong relationships between academics, organizations and communities."

Projects funded under the $15K Challenge will focus on identifying unmet needs within a community, exploring or testing solutions to problems or better understanding factors that influence women's health.

Women's Xchange, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, will improve the health and well-being of women and all Ontarians by supporting women's health research and helping to disseminate research findings across the province. The program engages diverse stakeholders and communities, including care providers, scientists, policy-makers and community leaders to ensure that research addresses issues facing all women, including underserved groups. The $15K Challenge is one of Women Xchange's new initiatives.