SUBMITTED [WRITTEN BY EMMA KINSMAN]
Executive Director Erin Lee and Victim Advocate Brianne Luckasavitch of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support (LCIHCS) have returned from an inspiring trip to Mexico, marking a significant milestone for their work in gender-based violence prevention.
The visit was a follow-up to a delegation from Mexico that travelled to Canada in July 2023. During the trip, Dr. Rosa María Salazar, a local leader and shelter director, made an exciting announcement: under her leadership, Mexico will be adapting LCIHCS’s See It, Name It, Change It campaign. The initiative is being translated into Spanish and tailored to fit local customs and traditions.
“We will be adopting the Lanark County Interval House and Community Support campaign… we are inspired by the Canadian approach to raising awareness of gender-based violence against women,” a representative from Fundación Luz y Esperanza shared in a Facebook post.
The news was met with excitement and emotion.
“We were surprised, thrilled, and a bit emotional,” said Lee. “But most of all, we are honored that our campaign will now reach communities in Mexico. Once again, small communities can drive big change!”
She added, “What an incredible honor to help drive change for women in Mexico. Together, we are making a difference.”
This collaboration is part of a project with the Department of Justice aimed at strengthening safety measures for women, girls, children, and adolescents in both Canada and Mexico. LCIHCS has been actively involved in this international initiative, having hosted a Mexican delegation in July 2023, engaged in a virtual exchange with Costa Rica in spring 2024, and preparing to welcome representatives from Kazakhstan in September 2024.
What is See It, Name It, Change It?
Launched in 2016, See It, Name It, Change It was developed in response to rising rates of violence and femicide in rural Eastern Ontario. The initiative emerged from four community forums held in April 2016, where individuals from Lanark, Lennox and Addington, and Leeds and Grenville Counties came together to create action plans for increasing safety and positive outcomes for survivors of violence.
In September 2022, LCIHCS officially relaunched the campaign with a renewed focus—including anti-racism messaging—to reflect the evolving needs of the community.
The concept is simple but powerful—think of it like fire safety’s Stop, Drop, and Roll. When you witness violence, recognize it, and call it out, you’re already taking the first step toward change. The campaign promotes education on healthy relationships, sparks meaningful conversations, and encourages communities to take action to create safer environments for everyone.
Expanding Impact
This is not the first time See It, Name It, Change It has been adapted. In November 2024, Ottawa Victim Services announced it will be adopting the program as well, with modifications for an urban audience. Currently available in English and French, the campaign will soon be accessible in three languages with the upcoming Spanish translation.
LCIHCS is honored to see the reach of its program growing. “Shared learning is the best learning. United, we are stronger,” said Lee.
To learn more about See It, Name It, Change It, visit https://lcih.org/sinici/.