On October 18 the BC government announced funding for five new sexual assault centres in communities across BC.
Congratulations to the contract recipients:
- Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre,
- Prince George Sexual Assault Centre,
- Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (Vancouver),
- Surrey Women’s Centre, and
- Victoria Sexual Assault Centre.
EVA BC looks forward to continuing to support the 70 new Sexual Assault Services (SAS) programs and five Sexual Assault Centres (SAC) that will provide trauma-informed, survivor-centred, and culturally safe support to survivors across the province.
EVA BC’s executive director, Ninu Kang, said, “this is an exciting time where we are building up the core foundation and capacity needed to support survivors of sexual assault, let them know that they are not alone on their journey to healing, and that help is available.” She also noted that these centres have proven track records in supporting survivors of gender-based violence in their communities and are part of strong, local co-ordinated networks.
EVA BC's Kate Rossiter, Director of Provincial Services, speaks at Government of BC's press conference on October 18.
Executive Director of the Prince George Sexual Assault Centre and EVA BC's Board Co-Chair, Lynnell Hallikowski speaks over Zoom at the press conference on October 18.
Executive Director of Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre in Vancouver, Dalya Israel, speaks at the press conference on October 18.
Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, Kelli Paddon, speaks at the press conference on October 18.
Representatives of the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, Surrey Women's Centre, and Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre listen at the press conference on October 18.
Emcee MLA Grace Lore speaks to representatives at the press conference on October 18.
In the same announcement, the BC government also shared news of proposed changes to the Crime Victim Assistance Act to enhance the supports for victims of crime, survivors, and witnesses. The amendments proposed in Bill C-37 include expanding access to benefits for victims’ grandparents and grandchildren, expanding the definition of ‘witness,’ and extending the time limit for Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) applications from one year to two years. If passed, the amendments will come into force by regulation in the next few months and will apply to claims resulting from an offence that occurred on or after the date amendments come into force.
For more information on both these announcements, see the press release here.
