Support camp for child sexual assault victims opens in Nova Scotia

DARTMOUTH, N.S. — Nova Scotia RCMP have officially launched a new collaborative camp for survivors of child and youth sexual abuse and their families.

The force has teamed up with Brigadoon Village, Canada’s largest pediatric medical camp facility, to create Camp Hope — a safe, nurturing space for children aged five to 12 and their caregivers to improve outcomes for families suffering from the impacts of child sexual abuse.

The inaugural three-day camp took place at Brigadoon Village in Aylesford from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

While campers engaged in activities, caregivers participated in educational sessions facilitated by Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, Provincial Victim Services and Survivors of Abuse Recovering (SOAR) Society.

RCMP Cpl. Mark Sobieraj spearheaded the creation of Camp Hope with a vision of taking “a trauma-informed approach to healing and recovery.”

“To give kids who have gone through so much the opportunity to just be kids again; to learn, heal, and build self-confidence through play,”said Sobieraj.

Before joining the RCMP major crime unit, Sobieraj spent almost five years with the RCMP’s internet child exploitation unit, which fueled his desire to help create a camp for survivors.

“The families we welcomed at camp have been through really challenging circumstances,” said Tiffany MacInnis, program manager at Brigadoon Village.

“Our goal was to help build a sense of belonging and community with other survivors who understand what they’re going through.”

For more information or to support the campers who attend camp at Brigadoon Village, visit online.