Olivia Stymiest: LCT-C, CCC, Art Therapist

Olivia Stymiest: LCT-C, CCC, Art Therapist Owner of Life in Colour Counselling, practicing at Rising Tides Healing Centre đź’›

05/01/2026

May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month in New Brunswick.

It’s a time dedicated to raising awareness, increasing education, and creating safer spaces for people to speak about experiences that are often held in silence.

Often this work happens quietly: in one-on-one conversations and environments where people feel safe enough to reach out.

Sexual violence is often underreported, as it is often shaped by stigma, fear, and uncertainty about how this information will be received.

Which is why prevention isn’t only about awareness campaigns. It's also about how we respond when someone shares their experience. It's about how we we understand consent and power. And how we create spaces where people feel believed and supported.

and I attended the Human Trafficking Awareness & Community Safety Night last night. Organized by Loblaws, Kennebecasis ...
04/15/2026

and I attended the Human Trafficking Awareness & Community Safety Night last night. Organized by Loblaws, Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, Crime Stoppers, and , we learned about what human trafficking looks like locally and in today’s age, and heard a firsthand account from the amazing Roxanne McCarthy 🩷

I am still absorbing everything but some of the takeaways I gathered are:

-It happens here and at an increasing rate

-Exploitation starts with connection, not violence. Human trafficking often isn’t the movie villain swooping girls up off of the street at random. It starts with compliments, gifts, grand promises and other “lovebombing” techniques combined with problematic actions to confuse and muddle our sense of personal safety slowly and methodically.

-Connection before correction. Children (and the adults they become) who are lacking emotional connection at home are more susceptible to the tactics noted above. Parents can help protect their children from manipulation by listening, validating, and prioritizing their wellbeing above and before correcting or criticizing.

-Human trafficking predominantly affects women and girls, with the highest risk age range being 14-24. While education and resources to protect girls are SO needed, we also need to focus on providing the supports necessary for young boys to prevent them from becoming men who harm.

Thank you so much to all of the organizers and speakers for putting together such an important evening!

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Saint John, NB

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