ONE Line is now available across Alberta, assisting victims of sexual violence (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

New helpline for victims of sexual violence launches across Alberta

May 6, 2019 | 12:37 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new support service is now available for people affected by sexual violence.

Alberta’s ONE Line is accessible province-wide. Victims and their friends and families affected by sexual violence can call in to the line at 1-866-403-8000 seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The person calling will be connected with a helpline associate that will offer advice and information on resources of support that are available in the caller’s area.

Kristine Cassie, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, said the program will be advantageous to a wide range of communities in Alberta.

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“One of the greatest advantages that I see is that they have over 200 languages that can be interpreted, including Cree,” she said.

“The ability for people, however they exist in our province, to be able to talk to someone who may be able to speak their language is phenomenal.”

Cassie noted that people can call in or text in to the line to be connected.

“It’s a lovely way to be able to connect back to home services that exist, and knowing what home services exist, because many times you feel very alone and you feel like you aren’t going to be believed, and it’s (reporting a sexual assault) shrouded in a lot of shame,” she explained.

“This is a way to get you that initial support, so that you can reach out to the other agencies.”

Lisa Lewis, director of counselling of outreach and education at Lethbridge Family Services, said ONE Line was inspired in part by the #IBelieveYou campaign and #MeToo movement.

“What we’re noticing is that in the last three years in particular with these two movements, our services – our need for services in each of our communities has increased,” Lewis said.

“We have seen some counselling agencies go from wait lists of say, two-three months to eight-nine months because these movements have brought out this social need.”

ONE Line was also based off a successful pilot project out of the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Centre in Red Deer.

Lewis said that with the helpline being available province-wide, someone up in northern Alberta could call on behalf of a relative or friend in southern Alberta and find out about resources in their friend or family member’s local area.

“Sometimes what happens is, you know, a survivor may be in Lethbridge, whereas the family member may be in Fort McMurray and the family member doesn’t know how to support the survivor,” she said.

“You know, they’re five hours away from each other, so this way they can get the supports they need in their community, but also know the supports (available) in the survivor’s community as well.”

The platform was developed by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS), the Government of Alberta, Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. The launch was celebrated locally on Monday at Lethbridge Family Services.