How many visibly targeted, underserved people sit on your board? In your leadership team? On your committees?
Is it at least 30%?
There’s your number.
Now go make it happen.
Everyone says they want their organization to grow. Many struggle to convince people to “do the right thing.” So here’s the truth: if morality isn’t motivating your leadership, money will. Everyone needs to keep the lights on. Even charities have hydro bills.
But if you claim to serve the community—the whole community—then your leadership must reflect that community. If people don’t see themselves represented in your decision-making, they won’t trust you. They won’t believe you understand them. They won’t feel you’re genuinely trying to help.
I am dedicated to ending child sexual violence.
So what does that have to do with equity, diversity, and inclusion?
Everything.
In Canada, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually assaulted before the age of 18.
That’s more than 10 million people in this country living with trauma like mine. In a nation of just over 40 million, that means one-quarter of our population is navigating adulthood with the impact of childhood sexual violence.
How are these 10 million doing?
Are they contributing to their communities?
Are they able to work to their full potential?
Are they relying on antidepressants just to make it through the day?
This trauma is not invisible. And it’s not cheap.
Mental health supports are inaccessible for most.
Healthcare costs keep rising.
Prisons are filled with adults who were once children no one protected.
These numbers are not abstract—they come with a financial cost that our tax system is already failing to carry.
Globally, the number climbs beyond 2 billion survivors—children who grew into adults still fighting for breath. With just over 8 billion people on the planet, that’s one-quarter of humanity. 25% of the world lives with the aftermath of child sexual violence. Let that sink in. These aren’t statistics. They’re kids—silenced, harmed, carrying trauma into adulthood.
Call to Action
Indigenous, Black, Asian, Disabled, and 2SLGBTQI+ children face even higher rates of sexual violence. The data exists, but good luck finding it—because the people in power rarely bother to count them.
If we want to reduce child sexual violence, we must increase the presence of these communities in positions of power. Representation isn’t symbolic—it’s preventative. It’s protective. It’s life-saving.
And yes, let’s talk about money.
Because like it or not, money is what moves the world—and what stops it.
If your organization wants to grow, thrive, innovate, and actually serve the community, your target is simple:
30%.
Hit it if you want trust.
Hit it if you want impact.
Hit it if you want funding and financial sustainability.
I’m not asking white, able-bodied, heterosexual, cisgender people to step down.
I’m saying:
Make room.
Add chairs.
You know the number.
And if you need an economic case—because so many leaders do—listen to Janet Stovall’s TED Talk. She’ll show you exactly why diversity and inclusion aren’t only the right thing to do.
They’re the smart thing to do.
They’re the profitable thing to do.
They’re the future.
With Love, Ghrian