Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse Conference 2023 - Innovative and Emerging Pathways to Healing

Speakers.

• Marlee
  Liss

  Marlee Liss (she/her) is a somatic educator, social worker, author, survivor advocate and queer Jewish feminist. She made history in the justice system when her sexual assault case became the 1st in North America to conclude with restorative justice through the courts. Since then, she has supported thousands in healing after trauma and learning inclusive consent education as violence prevention. Marlee's work has been featured in Forbes, Huff Post, Buzzfeed, the Mel Robbins Show and more. As an award-winning speaker, she's delivered talks for: The US Military SAPRO, Vanderbilt University, University of Toronto, Trauma & Recovery Conference, Women's Mental Health Conference at Yale, National Sexual Assault Conference and more. Marlee was 1 of 25 survivors across Canada on an elite panel for the National Action Plan to end Gender-Based Violence informing federal policy. Her story was made into a documentary directed by Kelsey Darragh and will be premiering internationally this Winter.
• Eden
  Dales, MSW, RSW

  Eden Dales, MSW, RSW is a registered social worker, and the owner and director of Eden Dales Social Work (EDSW), a community- based, trauma-focused social work practice. EDSW is comprised of a dozen registered social workers have expertise in trauma recovery, and conduct assessments, prepare reports, and provide advocacy, brokerage and counselling services to clients in various languages and regions across Ontario. Eden also maintains a private counselling practice in North York, where she lives, for individuals, couples and families. Eden specializes in trauma, stress management, mood management, executive function challenges, concussions, and brain injuries.

• 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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• Dr. Umesh
  Jain

  Dr. Umesh Jain did his medical school and Residency between Dalhousie University and the University of Pittsburgh, his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto and Masters of Education from the Ontario Institutes for Studies in Education. He is an internationally known speaker, advocate and researcher in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and created the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA), and wrote the first guidelines for Canada. He has done considerable genetic, psychopharmacological, forensics and personality disorder research and has communicated his findings in peer reviewed journals, to the public and to mental health stakeholders (including pharmacists, psychologists, social workers and educators). He has been involved in the Canadian and American Academies of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on their Scientific Committees and he has been given recognition awards from those institutions.
• Mariyam
  Zaidi, MSW, RSW

  Mariyam Zaidi is a dedicated professional with a strong commitment to community service. With a background in community development, program management, and counselling, Mariyam is passionate about addressing the unique needs of individuals, groups, and organizations within the community.
• Andy
  Koster

  Andy Koster has had over fifty years of experience working in the Ontario Child Welfare System beginning as a front line social worker. For the last twenty years up to 2019, he was the Executive Director of the Brant Family and Children’s Services in Ontario. He has authored or co-authored numerous published articles and papers, most recently as a co-author on a CWLA book designed to help social workers investigate, assess and treat, child sexual abuse. An approved trainer and writer of curriculum in Front Line, Management and Clinical Supervision for the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies for over 25 years, he has also taught in several schools of social work at the BSW and MSW level. On a policy level he has been seconded twice to the Ontario government to develop a model of accountability 2007, and lead a review of Indigenous Child Welfare Agencies in Northern Ontario in 1999. He has also written government reports on child deaths or contentious cases in seven provinces and territories across Canada. This year he was the Canadian representative of a Child Welfare League of America committee revamping their principles for Child Welfare services and presented workshops on sexual abuse investigation and assessment at their last two conferences in Washington, D.C.
• Raven
  Sinclair, PhD, RSW (Ont & Sask)

  Dr. Raven Sinclair (Otiskewâpiskwew) is a Treaty 4 status member of George Gordon First Nation of Saskatchewan. She is a descendant of the Calling River Cree, the Crow, the Assiniboine (Young Dog), and the Red River Métis. Raven is a recently retired Social Work Professor and current educational consultant with Indigenous institutes of higher learning, wellness trainer, and registered clinician. She is a member of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research College of Reviewers and a federal appointee to the 2017 CHRT Reform Table of Expert Advisors. Raven is a public speaker, author, filmmaker, and researcher. She is the mother of an amazing 18-year-old. In her spare time, Raven renovates her home, plays chess, and pursues as many hobbies as possible.
• Maria
  Barcelos, MA, BA

  Maria Barcelos wholeheartedly believes in community engagement and the importance of community-based responses to underlying social issues. Maria motivates, acknowledges and empowers students, volunteers and staff to be part of the change they want to see in the world. An avid believer in the principles of transformative community justice, Maria values building safer communities through collaborative knowledge sharing, idea and process formulation, and implementation. Maria is an honours graduate of the Yorkville University Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, a high honours graduate of the University of Guelph-Humber BA Justice Studies, recipient of the Virginia Grey Medal for Academic Achievement, an honours graduate of George Brown College’s HR Management Diploma program. Maria volunteers her time in the community as part of an advisory panel in the Community Development Program at Humber College Lakeshore campus. Maria also volunteers her time as an Advisory member to The Canadian Centre for Men and Families Family Shelter Advisory Board. Maria is a founding member of the Centre for Transformative Social Change, a collaborative project between The Gatehouse and Humber College Faculty of Community and Social Services Faculty members and students. Maria is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), practicing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Narrative, Culturally Sensitive, Trauma-Informed, Mindfulness-based therapy. Maria is a founding member of the Survivors Council of Canada, founded 2022.
• Stewart
  Thompson, BSc

  Stewart Thompson is a thriver and an advocate. After attending and completing The Gatehouse programs, he was given a chance to give back the same care and love that was given to him by becoming a facilitator. For more than 12 years, he has been facilitating individual and group peer support programs at The Gatehouse. Stewart is currently a staff member working as a Program Assistant, supporting Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. The first thing he learned at The Gatehouse was that he was not alone and second he had to help himself (do the work) and third, if he did not do the work he would stay stuck in his past, never giving himself a future. Doing so has given him a new outlook for his future moving forward. Finding his Voice has been a really big part of his journey. His story was featured in Deb Maybury’s book "Unlock The Door: Beyond Sexual Abuse." Speaking about voice; he never saw this coming. He started a podcast called Personal Transformation, in 2014, as he wanted to share his story and healing journey while also giving others the same platform to do so. He also shared his story with the World Health Organization “Survivors of child violence tell their stories.” In 2022, he became one of the founding members of Survivors Council Canada helping create voices across our country supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse. He has had the honour to speak in colleges and universities over the years talking about his healing journey and will continue to do so given the opportunity in the future. Today, he continues to support others hoping they can find value in themselves as he has done. Peer support has been part of his story, and he believes in the process, and watching it help many others. He carries no Fancy titles in his bio - just lived experience.
• Lisa
  Crooker

  Lisa Crooker is a Superintendent at the Toronto Police Service. Lisa is an experienced Inspector with a demonstrated history of working in the law enforcement industry. Lisa is skilled in Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and Physical Security. Lisa is a strong military and protective services professional with a Bachelor’s degree focused in Criminal Justice/Safety Studies from University of Guelph-Humber. 
• Jacinda
  Adams

  Jacinda Adams is a Councillor and advocate. Born in Toronto, Jacinda is a 60’s scoop decedent. She identifies as Inuk and is from Nunatsiavut.