(Provided by AASAS)

By Justin Goulet

Alberta invests in supports for rural sexual violence survivors

May 25, 2021 | 11:01 AM

EDMONTON, AB – The provincial government is making an investment to support survivors of rural sexual violence.

The $1.2 million in funding will help bring new services like counselling, crisis response and outreach supports to rural communities in Alberta, where those types of supports are currently not available.

Minister of Community and Social Services Rajan Sawhney said that, “survivors of sexual violence deserve dignified and compassionate front-line service regardless of where they live in the province.”

“This funding will not only help ensure people in rural Alberta have access to these critical supports, but it will also offer hope of recovery for victims of abuse.”

Executive director of the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, Deb Tomlinson, noted that 43 per cent of Albertans have experienced at least one incident of sexual violence in their lifetime, with the number of survivors reaching out to sexual assault centres for support growing, “additional funding from the Government of Alberta is now more important than ever.”

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The Hinton Friendship Centre will get $192,000 to deliver new services in Hinton, Edson, Jasper and Yellowhead County. Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre in Bonnyville will receive $180,000 to deliver new services in Wabasca/Desmarais, Slave Lake and Smoky Lane.

Executive director of Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre, Cheryl Bujold said, “living a life free from violence is every person’s human right, and the Dragonfly Centre’s goal is to stop sexual violence from happening in the first place.”

“Funding from the Alberta government is essential in supporting the work we do to increase awareness and respond to those who have been harmed and support them through their healing journey.”

Meanwhile, Lisa Higgerty, executive director of the Hinton Friendship Centre stated that “we are hoping by having this funding we can assist women, children and others who are fleeing sexual violence in a more efficient way in a rural setting.”

“The ability to provide therapeutic services closer to home will be less traumatic for the individuals fleeing. The impacts of the funding will be lifelong for the participants.”

Anyone experiencing sexual violence can call Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence at 1-866-403-8000 for supports.