Sexual Violence Prevention Month Community Conference - 2026

Jezeth Esmas - Jezeth Esmas
is a community organizer and multi-hyphenate creative dedicated to fostering spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. With over a decade of experience using a people-first approach at some of Canada's most notable youth-focused companies, Jezeth now finds herself at SAC Brant as a Community Development Coordinator, working alongside Taylor the Turtle to deliver programming that blends digital innovation with body autonomy and consent education-equipping children with tools to build confidence, safety awareness, and self-expression. She also serves as the Chair of Kabangka, a youth-led, national not-for-profit supporting young Filipino/a/x-Canadians on their journeys towards success. At her core, Jezeth is driven by connection, creativity, and community.

Kasey Politano - Kasey Politano holds a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Engagement and has spent over ten years working in sexual and gender-based violence across research, shelter, counselling, post-secondary, and community coordination settings. She is committed to survivor-centred, intersectional practice and believes that supporting people who have experienced harm means taking seriously the systems that shape their lives. She currently serves as Community Development Coordinator at the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant, as Coordinator of the Halton Violence Prevention Council, and as a member of the research team for the Taylor the Turtle project at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Mirand Jurilj - Mirand Jurilj (They/Them) is the Public Education Coordinator at SACHA - Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton and Area and Hamilton's Take Back the Night Chair. In Mirand's role at SACHA they work with schools, community organizations, sports teams, faith groups, workplaces and anyone who wants to learn. Their work centers education about sexual violence prevention, the interconnectedness of sexual violence and oppression, consent and healthy relationships, how to support survivors, and community building. Mirand values community care, action, empowerment, and knowledge sharing as tools to fight oppression and ending all forms of violence. Their approach to both providing care and education is survivor-centered, intersectional, and trauma-informed and utilizes activity, discussion, and arts-based learning to make conversations about sexual violence more accessible and approachable. In addition to being a Public Educator, Mirand is a poet, live music lover, detail-oriented planner, cook, pet parent, and auntie who is always excited to meet new people and talk about resistance, solidarity, and community support!

Amy Deschamps - Amy Deschamps (she/ her) has more than 20 years of experience working within the gender-based violence and homelessness sectors, most recently serving as Director of Housing and GBV Support Services within YWCA Hamilton for the last 8 years. Amy applies an intersectional, harm reduction lens in supporting and amplifying the needs of marginalized individuals experiencing violence and homelessness. She has centred her career around promoting inclusivity within the Gender Based Violence and Homelessness sectors, whileworking to enhance access and service for traditionally underserved populations through a gender-based safety lens. In her current role as Director of Gender-Based Violence Support Services, Amy provides key leadership to build capacity and awareness on issues affecting women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing gendered violence. Amy plays an active role throughout the community at various tables, committees and working groups. Through her term as Co-Chair for the Woman Abuse Working Group, Amy supports system coordination and advocacy, as well as informs educational / training opportunities to build sector capacity in response to specific needs of GBV workforce.

Ali Jones - Ali Jones (they/she) is a volunteer with the Hamilton Encampment Support Network (HES), which provides direct aid to unhoused community members while advocating for housing for all. Guided by principles of dignity, harm reduction, and accessibility, HEN's present central call is for an end to the city's encampment ban. Ali is also an independent researcher studying the manufacturing of anti-trans pseudoscience, using SEGM at McMaster University as a case, recently presenting at the Canadian Organization for Gender and Sex Research. Ali holds a diploma in massage therapy and a masters degree in social work, and enjoys making miniature food art and collecting fossils.

There are multi-stall gendered (women and men) bathrooms with accessible stalls. There is also an all gender single-stall accessible bathroom. There is a changing station available.

The closest parking lot to the venue is parking at Hamilton City Hall (71 Main St W) which is paid parking at a rate of $15 per day.

All dietary restrictions including in the registration form will be accounted for. We will have a catered lunch buffet as well as coffee and snacks in the morning. There is a water bottle refill station. Please bring a reusable water bottle with you.

All speakers will be using mics for sound amplification. Presentations will be projected onto a large screen.

The chairs are metal and plastic chairs (not folding) with no arms. Chairs will be arranged around round tables and are not assigned.