Cross Canada “I’m 1 in 5” Tour Hitting The Road This Summer
It’s a frightening statistic: 1 in 5 men are sexually assaulted in Canada. For many of these men, that sexual assault is done by a hockey coach, or a sporting official.
That’s why, sexual assault survivor, Paulie O’Byrne, who was raped by the president of minor hockey in his Delhi, Ontario community when he was a 21-year-old athlete, will embarke on a coast to coast tour raising awareness and funds for men who are victims of sexual assault.
In June, O’Byrne will stickhandle a hockey ball from British Columbia to Newfoundland for his charity, 1 in 5, on his journey to raise funds and awareness.
In a flyer, circulating about the event, the Theo Fluery Society for Abused Men made this statement about the Cross Canada I’m 1 in 5 Tour,
“I believe in Paulie O’Byrne. The Theo Fleury Society for Abused Men believes in Paulie O’Byrne. And most importantly, Paulie O’Byrne believes in himself. He’s a remarkable young man – keep your eye on him, he’s changing the world!”
Following his sexual assault, Byrne turned to drug and alcohol abuse, and attempted suicide, but is hoping to show young men who are victims of sexual assault that there is support out there for them and that there are healthy ways to deal with their struggles.
For more information, or to support his cause, you can email Paulie O’Byrne at 1in5tour@hotmail.ca.
There are two young men travelling in the Ontario North right now, Monday July 17, 2017 by bikes to bring awareness to mental health issues, to fight the stigma of mental health around suicide and drug addictions. There is a “go fund me” page available and a website with the “London Middlesex Mental Health Unit ” recognizing “Ride for Hope”. Chad and Dru are biking across Canada to bring these issues forward and to raise funds for help for suicide prevention. Check out “Ride for Hope.” Help them raise funds to fight the battle and to bring hope to young people who need our empathy and help.