Course curriculum

    1. Introduction Video

    2. Pre-Course Survey

    1. Overview of Module

    2. Terminology

    3. Defining Older Adults

    4. Understanding Sexual Violence

    5. Darrel's Experience

    6. Reflection on Darrel's Experience

    7. Prevalence and Scope of Sexual Violence

    8. Victoria's Experience

    9. Reflection on Victoria's Experience

    10. Impact of Sexual Violence on Older Adults

    11. Gisèle's Experience

    12. Reflection on Gisèle's Experience

    13. Mindfulness Break

    14. Module 1: Knowledge Check & Reflection

    1. Module Overview

    2. Social and Cultural Stigma Around Older Adults and Sexual Violence

    3. Margarita's Experience

    4. Reflection on Margarita's Experience

    5. Myths About Older Adults and Sexual Violence

    6. Mahendra's Experience

    7. Reflection on Mahendra's Experience

    8. Hattie's Experience

    9. Reflection on Hattie's Experience

    10. Barriers to Disclosure

    11. Tammy's Experience

    12. Reflection on Tammy's Experience

    13. Mindfulness Break

    14. Module 2: Knowledge Check & Reflection

    1. Overview of Module

    2. Understanding Disclosures

    3. Lisa's Experience

    4. Reflection on Lisa's Experience

    5. Supporting Healing for Older Adults

    6. Sonya's Experience

    7. Reflection on Sonya's Experienceee

    8. Prevention Strategies in Practice

    9. Mindfulness Break

    10. Module 3: Knowledge Check & Reflection

    1. Feedback

About this course

  • Free
  • 41 lessons
  • 1 hour of video content
  • For Professionals

Instructor

Jessie Heisler

Prevention Manager

Jessie Heisler (she/her) is an experienced online facilitator and the Prevention and Community Engagement Manager at Dragonfly Counselling & Support Centre, a rural sexual violence organization serving northern Alberta. Jessie specializes in delivering online trainings on sexual violence prevention, healthy relationships, media literacy, and rural community response. Her facilitation style blends evidence-based strategies with compassion and cultural awareness, engaging participants through interactive discussions, case studies, and reflection exercises. Whether supporting professionals, caregivers, or community members, Jessie creates space for learning that is empowering, accessible, and grounded in lived experience. She is passionate about dismantling systemic barriers and is especially committed to serving rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Jessie was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her leadership and innovation in gender-based violence prevention.

Social proof: testimonials

“Really important course. I’ve been a nurse for 20 years and this made me realize how many gaps exist in how we talk about sexuality and consent with seniors. The myth-busting and case studies hit hard. I would’ve liked even more content on institutional reporting processes, but overall I feel more confident responding compassionately to disclosures.”

Registered Nurse

“This course helped me rethink how I approach older clients who may have experienced harm. I appreciated how it didn’t treat disclosure as a checklist but as a deeply human experience. The examples were powerful, and the content around silence as survival was something I’ll carry with me.”

Social Worker

“This was one of the most thorough and trauma-informed trainings I’ve taken. It goes beyond just policies and dives into the cultural and systemic reasons older adults stay silent. The content didn’t shy away from difficult truths, but always returned to dignity, agency, and care. I wish more public servants and caregivers would have access to this.”

Advocate

“The course was eye-opening. I never thought about how older adults might carry trauma from years ago, or how our assumptions about aging make it harder for them to speak up. The reflective questions were challenging in a good way. I think every volunteer who works with elders should take this”

Church Volunteer