About Speak Up

What is the story - Why is Speak Up needed?

Imagine that someone who is looking after you is sexually abusing you. Imagine that you want to tell that person to stop and you want to tell someone who could help to stop the abuse. Now imagine that you cannot speak. You communicate by pointing to pictures to tell people what you want to say. Imagine that you have no pictures to communicate about what is happening, or that you have nobody to tell or that if you tell you may not be believed.

It is estimated that there are 200,000 people with severe speech and writing disabilities in Ontario. People who are unable to speak and who use augmentative and alternative communication systems have a high risk of being sexually abused as they are often deemed to be unable to tell anyone about it, let alone take legal action.

People with physical disabilities combined with severe speech disorders are 2-6 times more likely to suffer physical, mental and sexual abuse as a result of their inability to communicate effectively. Victims who cannot communicate cannot prevent or report abuse. Without access to the words they need to communicate, people who use AAC cannot discuss, learn about, disclose or report issues relating to victimization.

Speak Up will help to change this situation.

What is Speak Up?
Who is SpeakUp for?
What will SpeakUp do for people who use AAC?
What is the story - why is Speak Up needed?
How does the program affect lives of people in the community?
How will Speak Up be implemented?
Speak Up Team Members
Speak Up Advisory Committee Members