April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the theme for 2024 is building connected communities.

EVA BC’s executive director, Ninu Kang, says: “the theme this year resonates with us, as our Community Coordination for Survivor Safety (CCSS) team supports coordination at the local level across the province as well as bringing together policymakers to ensure we are collaborating to end sexualized violence.”

Let’s work together to raise awareness about the impacts of sexual violence in our communities and educate ourselves and others on how to prevent it.

Also check this event calendar for the provincial Prevention of Violence Against Women Week in BC, April 14 to 20.

You can find the latest stats on sexual violence in BC and Canada on these pages: Province of British Columbia’s Public Safety and Emergency Services website, the government of BC’s 2021 Crime Statistics Report and the Canadian Women’s Foundation facts page.

EVA BC was pleased that the 2023 provincial budget included funding for 70 sexual assault services programs and five sexual assault centres across the province. While this means more options for survivors of sexual violence, we still need to build more connections between the programs, communities and the survivors who need them.

We applaud the launch of the provincial gender-based violence action plan last fall, with its commitments to:

• increase safety and supports for survivors, 
• lift up Indigenous-led approaches,
• break cycles of violence through prevention, healing and accountability, and
• learn from and monitor our progress.

Follow us on social media for #SAAM2024 messaging to share in your communities: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.

EVA BC supports frontline programs across the province with training in Third Party Reporting (TPR) and responding to disclosures, and works in collaboration across sectors, including the recent Changing Perceptions research project that created resources on sexual violence for healthcare workers.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, please see ways you can find help.