Projects across N.S. receive help to support sexual assault victims
Posted Jul 22, 2013 05:13:28 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province is giving more than $162,000 in grants towards 13 projects which help victims of sexual assault.
The province received 18 applications for the funding. Marilyn More, minister responsible for the status of woman, says the projects had to build collaboration in some way to receive the money.
“So, it wasn’t meant for direct service or to develop resources,” explains More. “It was meant to be a catalyst for expanding partnership that community organizations work within their region and community.”
A couple of the recipients include $22,000 towards the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre and $14,750 for the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network.
“We are looking to develop a model to bridge the gaps between the aboriginal community and services,” said Paula Marshal from the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network. “Right now, we have a very passive response, we have organizations and resources available, but our women are not accessing those resources.”
The Avalon Sexual Assault centre is looking at creating a “hub” model to support communities that are trying to develop services.
“We’re going to consult with experts to see what it would look like to service Nova Scotians,” said Irene Smith, executive director of Avalon Sexual Assault Centre. “We’re one of the few community based organizations that provides a range of services around sexualized violence. We often get calls from communities outside HRM looking for advice.”
In the spring, Avalon received $100,000 in emergency funding to meet an initial surge of demand for service. The funding is part of the province’s $1.1 million investment to address sexual violence.
