Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Josh Hall

Alberta

Sexual assault support agencies receive $4.2 million to help with wait lists

Apr 6, 2023 | 5:17 PM

Following pleas for more help after the province’s 2023 budget was released several weeks ago, sexual assault support centres are receiving more funding.

Prior to the budget, the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) said it had presented a $14 million business case to the province.

On Thursday, five weeks post-budget, the province announced it is giving $4.2 million to support victims of sexual violence.

PACE in Grande Prairie has been allocated $120,370.

Deb Tomlinson, AASAS CEO, says while it’s not the $14 million the business case proposed, the funding is much appreciated.

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“It’s definitely not missing the mark. These funds are being allocated to help centres address wait times, and we’re pleased to see that,” says Tomlinson.

“The business case covers a much broader and comprehensive plan to address the issue of sexual assault in Alberta, holistically. Work still needs to be done to fully address the issue of sexual assault; it’s a big problem, and we do need the government to work with us. We look forward to that to continue tackling the ongoing and complex needs of Albertans.”

Tomlinson says 43 per cent of Albertans have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.

Wait times to get in and see a therapist in Calgary and Edmonton, which are getting the bulk of funding, are upwards of a year-and-a-half-long, says Tomlinson.

Tanya Fir, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women, says she’s spent time meeting with organizations in order to understand the need.

“I am glad to see that this funding is being used to address the immediate concerns of counselling wait lists,” says Fir. “It is critical that when somebody reaches out, help is available. Our government’s response to this concern is ensuring that sexual assault survivors across the province can get the support they need and deserve.”

The rest of the funding will be allocated as follows:

· $96,170 to the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, Red Deer

· $140,170 to the Association of Communities Against Abuse, Stettler

· $630,770 to Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse Society, Calgary

· $52,170 to Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre, Bonnyville

· $23,570 to Hinton Friendship Centre Society, Hinton

· $219,370 to Lloydminster Sexual Assault and Information Centre, Lloydminster

· $166,570 to SAFFRON Centre Ltd., Sherwood Park

· $1,853,960 to Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, Edmonton

· $96,170 to Sanare Centre (Southeastern Alberta Sexual Assault Response Committee), Medicine Hat

· $148,970 to Waypoints Community Services Association, Fort McMurray

· $41,170 to the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre, Edmonton

· $210,570 to Lethbridge Family Services, Lethbridge

The YWCA Banff Harmony Project and Lethbridge-based Chinook Sexual Assault Centre are the only two AASAS member agencies to not be included in this funding announcement. Tomlinson explains they did express interest, however, they don’t currently have counselling wait times.

A ministry spokesperson clarifies that the funding was allocated, and there was no application process for support centres.