Centre gets $540K to support victims
WATERLOO REGION — The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region is getting more than $540,000 as part of a provincial initiative to support human trafficking survivors.
The province announced Monday it is providing about $18.6 million to 44 agencies for projects up to three years in its strategy to end human trafficking and help survivors heal and rebuild their lives through new programs and services.
“There really has been a gap,” said Sara Casselman, executive director of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
“It’s been a long time coming in our province.”
The Kitchener centre will receive $370,445 in program funding and another $171,160 in housing funding, and Casselman is hoping that will be extended to continue helping victims of trafficking, sexual exploitation and those at risk.
“The funding is for the next 2½ years,” Casselman said. “Hopefully we can show the need.”
In 2015, local police statistics reported 27 instances of human trafficking in the region, 26 of those sex trafficking. Those numbers only hint at the scope of the problem locally since many victims don’t reach out to the criminal justice system, Casselman said.
The plan is to hire a full-time human trafficking worker, and do public education and outreach on the issue. The centre is also working with Victim Services Waterloo Region to offer after-hours help.
“What we’re trying to do is offer wraparound services,” Casselman said. “A lot of them are practical supports.”
That includes housing, income and education supports along with counselling “to try and set them up for success in the years ahead.”
The government release said survivors are controlled mentally, physically and emotionally by traffickers, making it difficult to leave and find help. Those who are able to find a way out often need support in a range of areas, such as trauma counselling, addictions recovery, job training and more.
Projects were selected for funding following a call for applications. Casselman said the centre has received only preliminary information from the province and is still working on the specifics of their plan.