Feature image: A Safe Place: Golden Hour by Aio Panwar*
After nearly a year of powerful youth collaboration, community events, and courageous conversations, the Safety, Survival, and Solidarity Project has officially wrapped — and all six short films created by youth participants are now available to watch on our website.
Led by IWAV and supported through provincial funding, the Safety, Survival & Solidarity Project brought together youth ages 13–18 from across the Southern Gulf Islands to create short films on the themes of:
- 🛡️ Safety – Setting healthy boundaries, navigating risk, and practicing consent
- 💪 Survival – Understanding trauma, coping after assault, and accessing support
- 🤝 Solidarity – Supporting others, fostering accountability, and creating change
Using animation, interviews, spoken word, and documentary storytelling, the youth involved in this project shared their lived experiences, insights, and hopes for a future free of sexualized violence. The result is a collection of authentic, moving, and deeply important 2–3 minute films — created by youth, for youth, and for the communities they live in.
“Creating these videos gave me hope that we can change things by talking about it.” — Youth participant
A Project Rooted in Courage and Care
The Safety, Survival & Solidarity Project began in May 2024 and unfolded over three creative cycles, each focusing on one of the core themes. Throughout the process, youth participants worked alongside trauma-informed facilitators, learning about consent, sexual violence, community care, and healing — and how to tell these stories with both truth and heart.
The completed films were shared at public screening events on Salt Spring Island, including the Salt Spring Film Festival, each one followed by youth-led panel discussions that sparked dialogue and reflection across generations.
“It’s been incredible to witness these young people speak up and lead,” said an IWAV team member. “Their bravery is shifting the conversation in our communities.”
You can now watch all six videos on the Safety, Survival & Solidarity Project page.
With Gratitude
To the youth who shared your voices, your stories, and your visions for a better future — thank you. You are leaders, and this work will ripple far beyond these islands.
To our funders, supporters, and community partners — thank you for believing in youth-led change.
This project may be complete, but the conversation it started is just beginning.
This project was made possible through funding from the Provincial Civil Forfeitures Grant from the Province of British Columbia, supporting initiatives that promote safety, awareness, and violence prevention in our communities.
*Painting: Golden Hour by Aio Panwar
From the artist: “I made this painting for the IWAV safety survival solidarity film project. It was difficult to put an image to safety. I ended up basing this painting on a place where I often feel a sense of safety and calmness. I wanted the feeling of peaceful safeness to shine through the painting, transporting the viewers to that moment with me. “
