According to Clarie Johnson, Children’s Program Coordinator at the S.O.S. Society, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys in Canada experience unwanted sexual acts before the age of 18 years. “We need offender accountability within the judicial system. But what we really need is the end of sexual violence in all its forms – child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of youth, sexual assault, and human trafficking.”

The Victor Movement was initiated by Theo Fleury and others not only to raise awareness, but also to demand adequate funding for education and support for individuals, families and communities affected by child sexual abuse.

What is a Victor? According to the Victor Movement website, the process of healing starts off with a Victim, i.e. “a child sexually abused by a person in a position of power or authority over them. This is the darkest, most painful, frightening and confusing time of the child’s life.”

The next stage is Survivor, a person who copes “the best way they can with broken emotional tools and fractured life skills.” 

This is followed by the Victor stage, when a survivor “reveals to a trusted confidante or counselor the sexual abuse they suffered and seeks help for the pain. In this stage, they shed all shame, begin to hope and dream again, and see a viable future for their lives despite the past.” 

“Once a Victor is empowered and motivated to see that no other child is subjected to the same abuse, they take action and become an Advocate.” 

 The May 23^rd Victor walk was the first of what is planned to be an annual event across the country, including here in Prince George.