Welcome to the HerHealth Podcast! In this episode, host Dr. Sarah Yercich an early career researcher with AVA, Co-Director of the Freedom Center for Research on Violence Against Women, and faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Capilano University, sits down with Femi Akinsanya, Co-Director of the Training, Resource, and Education Centre at Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA).

Femi is a nonprofit and public sector leader advancing systemic change in the response to gender-based violence. With a background in psychology and health sciences, she brings years of experience in education, advocacy, and institutional partnerships. Together, Sarah and Femi explore trauma-informed care through a public health lens centering survivor voices, advancing equity, and driving meaningful change across sectors.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on advocacy, education, and creating systemic solutions to sexual violence.

Let’s get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: ⁠https://youtu.be/s3PUQR2UZkw?si=9_iQGtXwqEVZzsjG⁠

CCASA Contact Info

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: ⁠⁠Support and Information Line⁠⁠ Phone: ⁠⁠403-237-5888⁠⁠

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence

Phone/Text: ⁠⁠1-866-403-8000⁠⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

This episode is adapted from a live webinar held on Wednesday, May 14, as part of the AVA Webinar Series: Sexual Violence and Trauma-Informed Care – A Public Health Approach.

Our featured guest is Femi Akinsanya (she/her), BSc, Co-Director of the Training, Resource, and Education Centre at Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). A dedicated leader in the nonprofit and public sectors, Femi brings over five years of experience advocating for systemic change in the response to gender-based violence.

With a background in psychology and health sciences, Femi has led cross-sector collaborations across healthcare, government, post-secondary, and corporate organizations to transform responses to violence. In this episode, she explores trauma-informed care through a public health lens—centering survivor experiences, building institutional accountability, and advancing meaningful, lasting change.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on advocacy, education, and creating systemic solutions to sexual violence.

Let’s get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/s3PUQR2UZkw?si=9_iQGtXwqEVZzsjG

CCASA Contact Info

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: ⁠Support and Information Line⁠ Phone: ⁠403-237-5888⁠

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence

Phone/Text: ⁠1-866-403-8000⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Welcome to the HerHealth Podcast! In this episode, host Dr. Sarah Yercich an early career researcher with AVA, Co-Director of the Freedom Center for Research on Violence Against Women, and faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Capilano University, sits down with Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse.

Together, Kira and Mary help lead essential conversations that move communities toward healing, safety, and change.

Let’s get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeE88r9D8a4⁠

CCASA Contact Info

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: ⁠Support and Information Line⁠ Phone: ⁠403-237-5888⁠

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence

Phone/Text: ⁠1-866-403-8000⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.⁠

This episode is adapted from a live webinar held on Wednesday, May 7, as part of the AVA Webinar Series: Sexual Violence in Intimate Partner Violence - Legal Frameworks and Support Strategies, featuring our guests Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse.

Kira Snodgrass is a Sexual Violence Educator with CCASA. With a background in Child & Youth Care and Addictions Counselling, Kira brings years of frontline experience supporting those impacted by sexual violence. Her work with Sexual Assault Response Teams and her passion for education shine through in her role, where she also supports crisis lines and training initiatives across the province.

Mary Valenzuela is also a Sexual Violence Educator with CCASA. She brings a background in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies, along with over six years of experience facilitating programs in the non-profit sector. Her work is grounded in creating safe, judgment-free spaces and building awareness through dialogue, especially with newcomer youth and marginalized communities.

Together, Kira and Mary help lead essential conversations that move communities toward healing, safety, and change.

Let’s get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeE88r9D8a4

CCASA Contact Info

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: Support and Information Line Phone: 403-237-5888

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence

Phone/Text: 1-866-403-8000

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.