Backyards with Bolt: Episode 3
In this third episode of “Backyards with Bolt,” Dr. Annalijn Conklin of the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Inspector Colleen Yee of the Vancouver Police Department discuss how perceptions of safety evolve from childhood to adulthood and how to teach the younger generation about sexual violence prevention.
When asked why people feel safer during childhood than they do now despite technological improvements for self-protection, Dr. Conklin responded that perceptions change and the ways by which people view the world alter as they grow older. She noted that through inventions like the cell phone, the Internet, and social media, people become more vulnerable and expose themselves more to giving away private information. Though Dr. Conklin navigates through social media from a mindset of safety, she believes younger generations who grew up with this technology do not come from the same mindset because it is so ubiquitous.
Inspector Yee agrees with Dr. Conklin that people are more searchable today and are not as insulated as they used to be as children. She recalls her childhood before the invention of the cell phone when she would mail letters to her friends and notes that communication did not use to be so instantaneous. She echoes Dr. Conklin’s sentiment that people today are in a position of increased vulnerability if they are ever chosen as a target. She also expresses that young people today are bombarded with torrents of information constantly, whether or not it is accurate, which may disturb one’s perception of one’s reality. Inspector Yee believes that not much of the information that receives attention is positive, which may cause people to develop a hyper-vigilant paranoia that the world is unsafe. In reality, violent crime statistics, regardless of gendered or racial specifics, have not changed all that much and have even gone down in some cases. People may get the same piece of information 800 different times from different angles, and their brains perceive that as frequency.
In considering ways to teach younger generations about sexual violence without making them paranoid, Dr. Conklin would focus on a perspective of public health, including sexually transmitted diseases and health education. She believes it is important to give correct and age-appropriate information in discussions of sexual and reproductive health, which includes statistics on violence, sexual violence, and certain groups who are more at risk of it. She notes that not only are women more susceptible to sexual violence than men, but that trans women are at risk as well. She believes that whether or not younger people are more likely to engage in sexual activity with education, it is still important to be educated. In women’s self-defense classes and martial arts lessons, she has learned that a little bit of paranoia can be a good thing when it comes to your safety. She would rather be slightly paranoid or be perceived as paranoid than encounter a potential incident.
Inspector Yee points out that Dr. Conklin is not paranoid, but in fact tactically aware and taking the precautions to mitigate the risk factors. Paranoia stems from irrationality, but Dr. Conklin is basing her behaviour on her knowledge and her training. She notes that all violence does not happen in a vacuum. It does not just appear, and there is often build-up to it, such as grooming. One way to approach education without paranoia is to teach children at a young age with age-appropriate information about setting boundaries, healthy relationships, and unhealthy relationships. In the cadet program at the Vancouver Police Department, pre-pubescent and pubescent boys and girls learn how to be good citizens in their community. However, many do not understand what appropriate behaviour and respecting boundaries look like, requiring a counsellor to pull them apart.
Dr. Conklin believes that sexual violence has not been talked about for far too long and that part of the feminist movement is making the 'private' public. These topics are fairly new in education programs. She believes that instilling these discussions in child development is essential. For example, there might be small children who will push away a family member and not want to receive a hug, which is within their rights.
BOLT Safety encourages everyone who may need help to reach out to locally available support services or even a friend. Stay tuned for Episode 4!
You can access the resources mentioned in this post under the 'Safe Hubs' category on The Hub (see the image below).
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, please call your local emergency services (9-1-1), or learn about other options (like shelters and crisis lines) in the Safe Hubs category of this platform.
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