The Hula Hoop Initiative
Breaking Silence.Building Safety.
Drawing from her lived experience as a survivor, Ismena has transformed her personal journey into a platform for impact — working to break the silence surrounding childhood sexual abuse and empower children to understand their right to, boundaries, a voice, and to say NO. Her work is rooted in the belief that prevention begins with education, and that every child deserves to feel safe and heard.
She is the author of two children’s books, Circle of Safety and Hula Hoop Space, which teach body autonomy and personal safety in age-appropriate and accessible ways. Her books are used as educational tools to help children recognize unsafe situations, build confidence in speaking up, and support parents, educators, and caregivers in having preventative conversations.
Ismena Toscan is a student athlete, author, and founder of The Hula Hoop Initiative, a youth-led organization dedicated to preventing childhood sexual abuse through education, and advocacy.
Through The Hula Hoop Initiative, Ismena has reached over 14,000 individuals through educational outreach, resources, and awareness initiatives. She has developed programming and materials now being used by schools and community organizations, and continues to expand her impact by speaking directly to educators, and families about body safety, and the importance of early preventative education.
Ismena has brought her advocacy to the national stage, speaking in the House of Commons in support of Bill C-223, where she called for stronger protections and systemic reform to better support children in Canada's family court system. Her work reflects a growing commitment not only to education, but also to policy change and long-term prevention at a structural level.
She is also affiliated with the National Association of Women and the Law, further strengthening her involvement in advocacy efforts focused on legal reform.
As a youth leader and advocate, Ismena is committed to ensuring that no child feels alone, unheard, or unprotected. Her work centers on empowering children, amplifying survivor voices, and building communities that are informed, and unafraid to speak openly about abuse. Through her leadership, she continues to challenge stigma, and create safer spaces for children across North America.
"I cannot change what happened to me, but I can, and I will use my voice to prevent others from experiencing the same"
-Ismena Toscan
Ismena Toscan is a 15-year-old student athlete, author, and founder of The Hula Hoop Initiative, a youth-led organization dedicated to preventing childhood sexual abuse through education, awareness, and advocacy.