Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse Conference 2024: Ripple Effects Across Communities

Speakers.

• Rick
  Westhead

  Rick Westhead is a senior correspondent for TSN and a contributor to CTV National News and W5. An award-winning investigative journalist with twenty-five years of experience, Westhead explores important issues in sports and offers his own unique perspective on the stories he breaks. In writing for TSN.ca and reporting on SPORTSCENTRE, Westhead takes on controversial issues in sports and sports business, uncovering the latest details and offering his own unique perspective.

• MPP Kristyn
  Wong-Tam

  Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP is a Canadian politician who has represented Toronto Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 2022 as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party. They are non-binary and use they/them pronouns. They served on Toronto City Council from 2010 to 2022. Their current roles include: Critic - 2SLGBTQ+ Issues,  Critic - Attorney General, Critic - Small Business, Member - Standing Committee on Justice Policy.

• Amelia
  Cline

  Amelia is a lawyer and a former elite gymnast with lived experience of psychological and physical abuse from her competitive career. She is the lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against Gymnastics Canada and six provincial federations, aimed at demanding accountability from sport institutions and achieving justice for survivors. She has made numerous media appearances, advocating for change to the sport system, and has testified before the Parliamentary Status of Women Committee in Ottawa.

  As the Managing Director of Athletes Empowered, Amelia provides support and guidance to our programming, as well as direct support to survivors engaged in our Case Support program. Drawing on her professional experience as a lawyer, she continues to advocate for policy change, and a safe and abuse-free sport for the next generation.

• Jessica
  Bonilla-Damptey

  Jessica Bonilla-Damptey is the Director of the Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area (SACHA). She has been involved in crisis support since 2008. Jessica joined SACHA as director in 2019. Prior to this, she worked as a volunteer in various capacities (Crisis Support Line Volunteer, Take Back the Night, International Women’s Day and events tabling) with SACHA since 2008.

  SACHA is a feminist, non-profit, community-based organization that provides supports to survivors of all genders aged 16 and older, who have experienced sexualized violence at any point in their lives. This work has been done in Hamilton since 1975.

• Emma
  Giao

  Emma Giao is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Bachelor of Art, majoring in Psychology from University of Guelph as well as a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. Her career in mental health started in the adult developmental service sector, working with individuals with co-morbid mental and physical health issues. This experience pushed her to make individual psychotherapy more accessible to those who are neurodivergent and struggle with chronic mental and physical health issues.

  Emma works through a trauma-informed and harm reduction approach. While she practices in other areas, Emma’s work has a significant focus on various different forms of trauma including abuse, pregnancy and infant loss and PTSD. Additionally, her work continues to support the neurodivergent community.

• Rosalia
  Rivera

  Rosalia Rivera helps busy parents go from fearful and anxious to confident and empowered, about teaching their kids about body safety, boundaries, and consent to prevent sexual abuse. She is a consent educator and child sexual abuse prevention specialist, sexual literacy advocate, 2x TEDx speaker, Chair of SAGE, and the founder of CONSENTparenting™, host of the AboutCONSENT™ podcast and creatrix of CONSENTwear™. She is also a CSA (child sexual abuse) survivor, turned thriver. As a CSA survivor/thriver and parent, from a family of survivors, she discovered how triggering it was to learn about abuse prevention when it was time to educate her own kids once she became a mother. Determined to break the intergenerational cycle of abuse, Rosalia dedicated herself to her healing so she could overcome the anxiety and triggers that kept coming up when learning about abuse prevention so she could teach her kids.

• Sherry
  Saevil

  Sherry is a member of Mistawasis nêhiyawak and an Alumni from University of Saskatchewan. She has dedicated her career to challenging systemic barriers and seeking justice for Indigenous communities in Canada.

  Sherry has worked with First Nations communities and organizations over the last 30 years in a variety of roles from a historical researcher, historical writer, policy analyst, Law coordinator and Assistant Director of Lands and Resources for Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Currently Sherry is the Indigenous Education Advisor with the Halton Catholic District School Board. She is a passionate advocate for First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education and believes that Reconciliation is possible through Education.

• Mark
  Hawkins
• Emily
  Quint
• Simona
  Jellinek

  Simona has also been instrumental in changing important pieces of legislation including the removal of the limitation period in sexual abuse and assault cases. As well, she also assisted the government in amending legislation to allow survivors who are on ODSP to remain on ODSP even after receiving compensation from a judgment or settlement. 

  Simona’s expertise in the area has been recognized by her peers and she is listed in Best Lawyers and Lexpert. She has been honoured to receive the Distinguished Service Award by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and the Zenith Lexpert award. Simona is sought after by media outlets to provide insight and commentary on sexual abuse and assaults in Canada and abroad. As well, she has lectured at universities and presented papers on sexual violence litigation at Canadian and international conferences.

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• Erin
  Ellis

  Erin has over a decade of experience and a proven track record of success advocating for survivors of both recent and historical sexual and physical abuse. She represents plaintiffs from across Canada, demanding acknowledgment and compensation for the harms perpetrated or facilitated by individuals and institutions, including abuse by teachers, coaches, relatives, foster parents, doctors, and clergy.  Erin has a deep understanding of civil abuse litigation.  Her extensive experience allows her to work effectively with her clients to determine the best approach for each individual case. Erin is passionate about representing survivors and uses compassion, dedication, and strong advocacy skills to assist her clients. 

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• Linda
  O'Brien

  Linda joined the Gluckstein family from a boutique litigation firm where she focused exclusively on civil litigation, defending tort litigants. She is now a key member of our Sexual Abuse group with the Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein team advocating solely for survivors of sexual abuse.

  Over her almost 30 years of practice, Linda has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, along with appearances before numerous boards and at private arbitrations. She has been a speaker at many legal events and seminars.

  Linda is proud to be involved in initiatives to promote policies and practices to retain and advance women in law and to continue to serve as a mentor for many students and lawyers.

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• Ivanna
  Iwasykiw

  Ivanna’s personal Injury practice is focused on representing survivors of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment, revenge porn, invasions of privacy, and institutional abuse.

  Ivanna is a compassionate, practical, relentless lawyer, and a fierce advocate. She hopes that in assisting survivors in seeking justice and closure, she can help them find their power again. When not practicing law, Ivanna enjoys travelling, canoeing, hiking with her German Shepperd, fantasy books, and exploring new foods.

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• Vanshika
  Dhawan

  Vanshika Dhawan is a fierce advocate for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Prior to joining the Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein team in 2023, Vanshika articled at a litigation boutique in Toronto, assisting with sexual abuse and assault cases. Her practice continues to focus on representing survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse. She is passionate about helping survivors better understand and navigate the legal system. 

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