News Release

sheldon_kennedy.jpgLethbridge College will welcome an Order of Canada recipient this week, as Sheldon Kennedy will host two screenings of his documentary Swift Current on campus on Thursday.

A former NHL player, World Junior Hockey Championships gold medalist and Memorial Cup champion, Kennedy is best known for his courageous decision to charge his junior hockey coach with sexual assault for the abuse he suffered over a five-year period while a teenager under the coach’s care. Since his public disclosure, Kennedy has become a leading advocate and inspiration for sexual abuse survivors around the world.

The documentary, Swift Current, directed by award-winner Joshua Rofé, is described as “a devastating portrait of a man who struggles to come to terms with his brutal childhood trauma, and a startling depiction of sexual abuse's long-term impact.” Kennedy will host an afternoon screening for students and faculty in the Centre for Justice and Human Services, as well as evening screening for community members, along with justice, child-care and health-care partners from across southern Alberta.

“When our students enter the workforce they are bound to be responding to situations where they will have to support individuals that have experienced trauma similar to Sheldon’s,” says Barb Mantello, chair of the Schools of Justice Studies and Public Safety. “So to hear his harrowing, real-life story first hand is an invaluable learning tool for both our students and our faculty.”

Sheldon-Kennedy-2.jpgThe presentation is co-organized by the Southern Alberta Child Advocacy Centre. Research shows that one in three Canadians report experiencing some type of child abuse. By coming together and implementing innovative trauma-informed practices, organizations involved in helping those affected by abuse hope to empower those survivors to lead healthy and productive lives.

“By getting educators and community members in the same room and hearing the same message from Sheldon provides a shared learning experience that can help us all move forward together,” says Wendy Weninger, chair of the School of Human Services. “Providing proper support and resources for those affected by abuse is really a community-wide effort and we are lucky to have Sheldon here to share his story.”

The documentary contains mature themes and is not recommended for all audiences. Donations will be accepted for the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre.

Hear Sheldon Kennedy speak during his visit to Lethbridge College: