Muskoka Victim Services

06/04/2026

Meet Jim, one of our Volunteer Crisis Responders.

Jim has volunteered with Muskoka Victim Services for years, and we are grateful to have someone who cares so much for others on our team.

We’re always looking for people like Jim to join our team and support people in our Muskoka communities. Learn more about becoming a Volunteer Crisis Responder by visiting muskokavs.ca/volunteer or by emailing [email protected].

05/27/2026

Sexual assault is the only violent crime in Canada not on the decline.

May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month, an opportunity for us to work together to address sexual violence in our communities and advocate for change.

Each one of us can prevent sexual violence in Muskoka by:

• Understanding the scope of sexual violence and who is at risk

• Having conversations with others about consent, sexual harassment, and online safety

• Learning what a healthy relationship looks like

• Supporting survivors who have experienced sexual violence and challenging victim-blaming that prevents survivors from seeking help

• Learning about services and resources in your community to support victims of sexual violence

05/26/2026

We want to thank everyone who attended Eyes Wide Open, a human trafficking and safety awareness event hosted earlier this month.

Ontario has the second highest rates of human trafficking in Canada, and it’s because of events like Eyes Wide Open that our communities are able to learn about its signs and stop it from happening to others.

We appreciate Timea E. Nagy sharing her story as a survivor of human trafficking, and the work she does to raise awareness in our Muskoka communities and beyond. We’re also grateful to the other community sponors and supporters that made this event possible: Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, Rotary Huntsville People of Action, Timea’s Cause Inc. Social Enterprise, YourTV, Huntsville Doppler, 105.5 Moose FM, Pharmasave, the District Municipality of Muskoka, Rotary Club of North Muskoka, Avante, Muskoka D.A.R.T., and the Ontario Provincial Police.

If you’d like to learn more about Timea’s anti-trafficking initiatives, visit timeascause.ca.

[Photo: Credit: Volunteers and staff of Muskoka Victim Services at our table at the Eyes Wide Open event. Photo credit: Timea’s Cause.]

05/11/2026

Do you know about Moose Hide Campaign Day?

The Moose Hide Campaign began as an Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men and boys in ending violence towards women and children. Today, this nationwide movement includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from local communities, First Nations, governments, schools, colleges/universities, police forces and many other organizations – all committed to taking action to end this violence.

For non-Indigenous people, supporting the Moose Hide Campaign is a way to support reconciliation. Being involved in the Campaign promotes implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Participating in the Moose Hide Campaign also demonstrates a commitment to addressing the tragic reality of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada and the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry.

On May 14, everyone is invited to attend livestreams, workshops, and ceremony throughout the day. Registration is free and will feature a Keynote address from Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, along with a message of hope from Co-founders Raven and Paul Lacerte on how we can all work together to end gender based violence in Canada.

You can watch at one of the many community gatherings across Canada, or with family and loved ones via YouTube.

To learn more about the day’s events, visit https://moosehidecampaign.ca/campaignday

05/08/2026

Intimate partner violence can happen to anyone.

More than 4-in-10 women (44%) and more than 1-in-3 men (36%) in Canada have experienced some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime. The rates of intimate partner violence are even higher for LGB+ women (67%) and LGB+ men (57%).

Join us on Thursday, May 14 for a public information session about intimate partner violence. In partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police Bracebridge Detachment, we are hosting the session at the Bala Community Centre from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

05/06/2026

Tomorrow at 1:55pm, a test of Alert Ready will sound in Ontario.

Those living with intimate partner violence may have an emergency cell phone hidden. During the Alert Ready test, these phones will go off, potentially putting lives at risk. Be sure to power these off to avoid discovery.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 1:55 pm, a test of Alert Ready will sound in Ontario as part of Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3-9, 2026).

The Alert Ready emergency alert test will be broadcast on television, radio and compatible wireless devices connected to an LTE or 5G network. The test message will simulate an emergency alert, beginning with an alert tone. The message will indicate that it is a test and does not require action from the public.

Please do not call 9-1-1 for information about the test. Using 9-1-1 for non-emergency calls could delay help for people experiencing real emergencies.

Those living with intimate partner violence may have an emergency cell phone hidden. During the Alert Ready test, these phones will go off, potentially putting lives at risk. If you are using a hidden phone or tablet as part of your personal safety planning, take steps now to stay safe during the alert: be sure to power these devices off to avoid discovery.

Read more on our Newsroom: https://www.anishinabekpolice.ca/upcoming-test-of-the-alert-ready-system-2

05/06/2026

📣 Join us tomorrow night for Eyes Wide Open, a free public awareness event on human trafficking and safety awareness for youth, parents and community members.

This event is led by Timea E. Nagy, a best-selling author, internationally recognized advocate, and survivor of human trafficking. Since 2009, Nagy has educated more than one million people worldwide, assisted in over 500 police investigations, and supported hundreds of survivors and their families through her advocacy and outreach work.

Date: Thursday, May 7th

Place: Active Living Centre - 20 Park Drive, Huntsville

Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Register to reserve your seat today!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/eyes-wide-open-free-human-trafficking-awareness-and-education-tickets-1981430833963

05/05/2026

Today is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It is a day to honour their lives, and remember their families that carry their loss for generations.

In Huntsville, red dresses hang from the windows of downtown storefronts. The dresses are an initiative by the Hope Arises Project Inc. as an act of Reconcili-ACTION.

For non-Indigenous settlers, we should be speaking up and taking action to end gendered and racialized violence against Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.

You can learn about the Hope Arises Project and its community initiatives at http://hopearises.ca

04/28/2026

This Friday, Mind-Aid Muskoka is hosting its first Radiothon for Youth Mental Health on Hunters Bay Radio! Tune in to 88.7FM from 6am to 6pm to support MiND-AID and the incredible work they do to support young people in Muskoka.

Ok, here’s the BIG news!

On May 1, we’re teaming up with Hunters Bay Radio for our first-ever Radiothon! From 6 am to 6 pm, we’re going live on 88.7FM to fundraise for our work with young people who are struggling with their mental health.

Here’s why: 70% of mental health issues begin in childhood or adolescence, and yet many young people wait months (or even years!) to get the specialized care they need.

It’s because of supports like our Mental Health Navigators, the Mobile Youth Wellness Hub, and our Therapy Fund that young people DO get the help they need. We help 500+ young people and parents/guardians every year, but we don’t receive any long-term funding to sustain this work. We need help, too.

So we’re taking our ask to the airways because we know you, our community, shows up for each other! Here’s what you can do:

📣 Spread the word about the Radiothon by sharing this post.

🤙🏼 Call in to Hunters Bay Radio on May 1 to make a donation, or donate online anytime at mindaidmuskoka.com/donate.

⭐ Become a sponsor of our Building Up Muskoka Youth campaign and be featured live during the Radiothon. Call us at 844-646-3243 to find out more.

This is going to be a huge day for us, and it wouldn’t be possible without Hunters Bay Radio. This community radio station has been a long-time supporter of ours, and we are so excited to partner with them on this radiothon for youth mental health.

04/23/2026

For National Volunteer Week, we are celebrating the incredible volunteers who ensure others in Muskoka have support when they are facing a crisis or tragic circumstance.

For our volunteer (and now staff member) Madrie, volunteering is a rewarding and meaningful experience:

“Volunteering is extremely important to me, and I’ve been volunteering for Muskoka Victim Services for over 10 years now. I’m part of a wonderful team of caring and dedicated individuals.

All the training that’s needed is provided as you get started, and there are ongoing training opportunities always available.”

To all our volunteers, thank you for being there for your community. 💙

[Photos by Ron Jacques]