Hello Om Reunion Members,

We're back, and in:fused with great gratitude for the wonderful community that gathered together for the peak of the summer solstice. This year's festival was expanding and magical in very many ways. Massive thanks to all of the brilliant people in our community who helped build this event: from our dedicated long crew who braved the unpredictable weather with good spirits and strong will to make the festival happen over two weeks on the land; to our many coordinators, workshop facilitators, performers... and of course, to each and every one of you, our members, who took on your shifts, brought the vibe and made it happen -- in the kitchen, at the gate, health and safety, stages and everywhere in between. WE LOVE YOU!

Stay tuned for more details about our decompression and lost and found event that will be happening very, very soon... But first we need to discuss a difficult and troubling issue in our community.

A very upsetting occurrence was reported during this year's gathering: an act of sexual assault by one of our coordinators against another member. We are all shocked and hurt by this. Since this incident became known, a great deal of rumours, speculations and accusations have been swirling around our community, which we would like to address. In this message we hope to answer your questions on this matter as best we can, and discuss how we can all move forward and strengthen our community.

On Sunday morning, one of our coordinators working at the gate noticed a distressed member preparing to leave the festival. Upon questioning, she revealed that she had been sexually assaulted. Over the course of the day, after much deliberation, she decided to file a report with the police. We escorted her to the police to make the report and then drove her home. We then escorted the accused to the gate to be arrested. He has now been charged with assault, sexual assault and overcoming resistance to commission of offence. Since he was a coordinator, he has now been removed from the ORP organizing body and the Board of Directors and banned from attending all future ORP events. This matter is now being handled by the judicial system and will in time run its course.

We apologize for not having a public statement sooner, but in addition to the usual stresses of dismantling a festival, this is unfamiliar territory for us and we wanted to gain a better understanding of the situation before speaking publicly about it. We are speaking about it now and will do our best to address your questions and concerns. We regret the way this issue was revealed at OM circle at the end of the gathering by some of our members. Clearly, many people are upset by what has happened. It was always our intention to find the right means to convey the information.

Although the legal process will be completed some time in the future, it's time to start the healing process within the community now. Hearing about sexual misconduct at the festival has opened old wounds and some people have come forward with their own stories of inappropriate behaviour. We wish to assure you that we do not tolerate this type of behaviour and we are examining our procedures and searching for ways to identify problems. We thank this particular woman for having the courage to come forward and to go through the difficult process of pressing charges. We urge anyone with additional information on this matter, or any other incident of sexual misconduct, to contact the police; contact information is provided at the bottom of this message. We also encourage anyone who wishes to report inappropriate behaviour to get in touch with ORP directly. Coming forward to report sexual misconduct is very difficult, and we urge you, our members, to take discretion with any information you have and respect the privacy of those involved. When individuals who have been directly affected by inappropriate behaviour step forward, we will be able to take official action to improve the safety of those in the community. We appreciate you getting in touch with any concerns, major or minor.

This incident has forced us to take a long look at how we manage ourselves to best provide the safe, welcoming and tolerant environment we all love and appreciate so dearly. Every year is a new learning experience for us as organizers and for us as a community. Each and every one of us are responsible to one another, and we need to watch out and care for each other. Going forward we will be looking to develop protocols that guide us in this direction. There are no easy answers here and the conversation has just begun. We welcome and call for your constructive input in these matters.

Some in the community have started to organize women's and men's healing circles. Last Sunday, a women's healing circle took place in Dufferin Grove park where many women were able to get together and support one another. We appreciate the community for initiating this work. The creation of safe environments to share experiences and opinions, based on honesty, non-judgment and transparency is such an important step in this necessary conversation. As additional healing circles are announced, we will use the omreunionproject.org and omfestival.com/ommb websites to inform you. Please stay tuned and check the websites for updates.

Contact information and resources:

In respect of confidentiality, we are keeping the names of the parties involved anonymous. However, if you think you have information regarding the incident described in this mailer, or to report another instance of sexual misconduct, please contact O.P.P. Detective Constable Rayna Page, Grey County Detachment (Western Region): telephone: (888) 310-1122 (Ask the operator to connect you with her extension in Grey County).

If you'd prefer to speak with us privately on this issue, or any other incident of inappropriate behaviour, we have various confidential methods.

You can send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it where ORP coordinators will be available for assistance. As well, we now have a confidential phone line that will be monitored by our health and safety coordinator, Dr. Laura. *ORP private line: (647) 241-1508.

Laura will be answering the phone starting July 5th on Mondays and Thursdays from 9-11pm; however, confidential messages can be left at any time and calls will be returned within a day or two. She will be the only person to have a password for the voice mail and all names and info will be kept strictly confidential unless permission is granted otherwise. This is a line for women and other concerned members to get counselling and peacefully bring up safety concerns. You can also reach Laura privately by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Community resources:

Assaulted Women's Helpline (Men are also welcome to call) www.awhl.org 416-863-0511 ; Toll free in Ontario 1-866-863-0511 Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week *confidential and anonymous

For assaulted/abused women, female survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and families, friends, neighbours, professionals and other service providers in contact with abused women. Provides telephone crisis counselling, information and support, legal information and community services, as well as culturally appropriate resources for abused women.


Family Service Toronto Counselling Services

www.fsatoronto.com/programs/counselling/survivors.html 416-595-9618 ; Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Provides confidential counseling and psychotherapy to both female and male survivors of sexual abuse, violence and other traumatic experiences.

Help for those who think they may have engaged in assaultive or sexually inappropriate behaviour:

John Howard Society of Toronto

www.johnhowardtor.on.ca 416-925-4386 ; Toll-free 1-866-265-4434 ; Mon-Thu 9-4:30, Fri 9-4

For persons currently, previously or at risk of becoming in conflict with the law, and their families. Provides counselling -- individual, group and family, anger management groups and workshops, drug and alcohol counselling and family violence programs.

These are just a few of the many resources available. Your advice, feedback, thoughts, ideas and constructive criticism are always welcome. Please send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We are just beginning this healing process and will be seeking help from many different resources. This incident has deeply affected us as a community and we have a lot of learning ahead of us. It's our hope that through this we will become kinder, more self aware and hopefully develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other. For those of you who have suffered abuse at any time, we urge you to get support - you are not alone and not to blame. Let us grow and make our community safer.

Thank you for listening.

P.L.U.R. - Peace, Love, Unity, Respect

ORP

ॐ