Alberta continues support for access to counselling services for survivors of sexual violence. Tero Vesalainen/Dreamstime.com

By Jayk Sterkenburg

PROVINCIAL

Alberta invests additional $1.5M in empowering survivors of sexual violence

May 30, 2025 | 4:04 PM

The Alberta government is investing an additional $1.5 million in sexual assault centres to help support access to counselling services for survivors of sexual violence.

The province said Friday the investment will further deliver on its April commitment to increase funding for sexual assault centres by $10 million.

It said sexual violence is devastating and can have lifelong impacts on a survivor’s health, relationships and overall sense of safety.

Searle Turton, minister of children and family services, said in a statement that the work of sexual assault centres across Alberta is “incredibly important.”

“To stop the growth of sexual violence in our communities, we continue to make investments that enhance sexual violence programming to better support survivors,” she said Friday.

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“Together, we can keep our communities safe from sexual violence and let survivors know that we believe them and that they can access the supports they need.”

Almost 1.8 million Albertans have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime.

The investment builds on the $1.5 million that was distributed to sexual assault centres in March 2025.

It’s in addition to the $13.8 million invested annually to 15 sexual assault centres across the province and the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services for sexual violence supports and services.

Haley Scott, co-CEO of the association, said the organization appreciates the investment into sexual assault services.

“Sustained funding is essential to ensure those affected by sexual assault and abuse receive timely, compassionate support that is both trauma-informed and specific to sexual violence, and responsive to the diverse needs of Albertans,” she said in a statement.

The province said the investment is another step in helping to ensure that Alberta is the safest place to live, work and raise a family.

It said it builds on the release of Building on our Strengths, Alberta’s 10-Year Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence in May.

The overview outlines how Alberta’s government works to prevent gender-based violence, support those impacted and ensure those committing these crimes are “held to account.”

Alberta’s government said sexual assault centres play a critical role in supporting survivors.

It said by providing access to services such as counselling, sexual assault centres support survivors work through their trauma in a safe, caring environment.

Alberta Budget 2025 invests more than $88 million for the prevention of family and sexual violence which includes sexual assault centres to help individuals and families get the support they need.

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