$11.5 million increase to shelters and counselling, but no news on Sexual Violence Support services

Last week, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues Lisa McLeod announced a $11.5 million increase to shelters and counselling services. While we laud this investment as positive for our shelter sisters and counselling services, this announcement created significant confusion among Ontario sexual assault centres and other violence support services.

In March 2018, the Province of Ontario launched a strategy which would see a significant increase in funding for Ontario sexual assault centres. At that time, the government — and sexual violence support service providers alike – praised the plan, which aimed to help survivors of sexual violence “get the support they need, when they need it”.

Yet despite this commitment – and our attempts for information on it from regional and provincial government – this funding increase has yet to become reality. Read OCRCC’s response here. 

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

  • Former World Junior Hockey players sexual assault case verdict: OCRCC responds

    The decision to not talk about or report sexual violence is grounded in fear—and that fear is grounded in reality.  Although much progress has been made, there are many barriers [...]

  • Sexual assault myths abound in former World Junior Hockey players sexual assault case: Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) responds

    Sexual assault has the lowest rate of reporting to police amongst all violent crimes. Despite years of sexual violence advocacy, awareness-raising and the work of community services to support survivors, [...]

  • On December 6: OCRCC stands in solidarity with those affected by gender-based violence

      On December 6, Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC)  stands in solidarity with those affected by gender-based violence: Despite high femicide rates and court stays in gender-based violence cases, [...]