More funding needed for survivors of sexual assault, prevention: SACE

Advocates for survivors of sexual violence say wait times for trauma counselling are the worst they've ever experienced in Alberta.

According to a prevalence study conducted by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) in 2020, 43 per cent of Albertans have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.

That translates to about 1.8 million people.

The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) says wait times for trauma counselling is about 12 to 14 months, adding that can have devastating impacts on survivors.

“Having someone sit in pain and hopelessness and helplessness for 14 months… is not OK. It’s just not OK,” said Mary Jane James, CEO of SACE.

'SAVED MY LIFE'

Neil Campbell came to SACE in 2016. He was sexually abused when he was nine years old.

“I was at the point of suicide. And I figured that I needed to get some help. I had two daughters, married, and I didn’t want to leave them without a father,” he said.

“I came here and it was one of the best things that ever happened to me in my life. Saved my life.”

At that time, the wait list was about 10 months to see a therapist. Campbell worries the wait will be too much for some victims.

“They’re walking away after finding the courage to come through the door, and a lot of them will just either bury it again and say, ‘You know what? There’s no point,’ and sadly some will take their lives. We know that.”

SACE provides support to victims of sexual assault for no fee, as well as working with police and the courts and providing public education and advocacy to prevent sexual violence.

It says it saw the demand for service spike in 2017 with a culture shift linked to the global #MeToo movement, and then spike again due to the pandemic.

AASAS says it presented research, data, and a business case to the Alberta government seven months ago in hopes of getting more resources.

SACE says it has also been working with ministers and government staff.

“We presented to them about 7 or 8 months ago, and we’ve had anything from stalled reaction to no reaction to a lot of push back, asking for more stats and more stats,” James said, adding the province offered a one-time $3 million payment, which the association rejected.

CALLS FOR MORE FUNDING

The province says it increased funding for sexual assault centres in its 2020 budget over three years, and will spend $13.8 million on sexual violence prevention in 2022-23.

AASAS estimates sexual assault centres need about $14 million added to their budget to meet the need.

Advocates for survivors of sexual violence say sexual violence is a known risk factor for other public health issues, including addiction, suicide, homelessness and chronic mental illness, and argue investing up-front in prevention of sexual violence and training of specialized staff will save money in the long run.

“Specialized training is so essential for anyone who works with survivors of trauma. They understand what you’re going through, and what’s happening in your head - sometimes more than you even understand it yourself,” said survivor Elizabeth Halpin in a written release. “When you have a trauma-informed therapist, you don’t have to painstakingly relive the worst day of your life over and over again in order to get help. To be believed, and understood, right from the beginning of my treatment made all the difference in the world.”

Stats Canada found in 2021 that police-reported sexual assault had increased in Canada by 18 per cent.

SACE says only six per cent of sexual assault survivors in Canada report their assault to police.

The province responded to CTV News Edmonton’s request for comment with a written statement:

“Alberta’s government is committed to combatting sexual violence and ensuring proper care is available to victims,” Lisa Shankaruk, director of Alberta Community and Social Services, wrote.

“The proposal from AASAS will be reviewed over the coming months.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson.