Sex assault centres need better funding

Statistics Canada says one in three women and one in six men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. That’s not just your friends and family — it’s you and me. Many people who experience sexual violence carry guilt and shame, often in silence and without closure.

Provincially, sexual assault centres have seen a spike in demand for services. With #metoo, survivors are reaching out for help more than ever.

I spoke to the executive director of a sexual assault centre, and she told me they saw a median increase of 70 per cent in 2017. This need is expected to continue growing.

Despite all this, the Saskatchewan government promised no new funding to any services targeting interpersonal or gender- based violence. All of the sexual assault centres in the province were told they won’t see new funding for at least three years, many haven’t for six. Nine years without even a cost of living increase is basically a decrease in funding.

Knowing this, I can’t help but feel sick when government officials say “we believe and support survivors” or using survivors’ stories for cheap political points.

It’s obvious to me that, when the chips are down, this government honestly doesn’t give two hoots about survivors.

Across the province, centres have been forced to suspend services. In particular, Meadow Lake and the north will no longer be receiving any sexual assault services from the province.

With #metoo happening today, if we don’t do better now, what will we see tomorrow?

Avery Beaudin, Martensville