Sexual violence crisis centre faces an uncertain future

Published On: March 8, 2019

York Region’s only sexual violence crisis centre faces an uncertain future after promised provincial funding falls through.

The Women’s Support Network of York Region, based in Newmarket and serving survivors of sexual violence across the region’s vast urban and rural terrain, was to receive an $89,000 top-up this year approved under the former Liberal government.


“For survivors [of sexual assault], not only are they confronted with a waiting list after having the courage to step forward or disclose something traumatic they’ve experienced, but when they access a service they find out it’s time-limited because we can’t continue to offer the service on a permanent basis,” Women’s Support Network executive director Jackie Benn-John said. “I can’t ask people to put their crisis on hold.”

Read more about sexual assault centre funding here.

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