Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Alberta sexual assault centres to be consulted on spending additional $10 million

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Apr, 2024 04:01 PM
  • Alberta sexual assault centres to be consulted on spending additional $10 million

An additional $3 million is being allocated in 2024-25 to support 15 sexual assault centres.

There will be another $3 million in 2025-26 and $4 million in 2026-27.

"Nearly half of Albertans have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. That's 1.8 million too many," Family Services Minister Searle Turton told a news conference Tuesday.

"I've heard how it impacts every aspect of their well-being and their relationships, not to mention their ability to trust and feel safe."

Alberta signed a deal last fall to receive $54 million in federal funding to create and implement a 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence. 

The funding, which will be allocated to the province over four years, is part of a national plan to tackle gender-based violence. 

Turton said how the money will be spent will be determined by the sexual assault centres in roundtable discussions in the coming weeks.

"This will allow government to hear directly from centres and those who work with survivors every day how this funding can best address their urgent needs," he said.

Tanya Fir, Alberta's minister for the status of women, said the facilities represent "hope and safe havens" where survivors can receive support. 

The news was welcomed by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services.

Corinne Ofstie, co-chief executive officer, said it will help members respond to the increasingly complex needs of individuals and communities affected by sexual violence.

"It is difficult for survivors to reach out for help in the aftermath of sexual violence," she said.

"It is critical they receive help in a timely way as close to home as possible."

MORE National ARTICLES

Rescuers in B.C. hope AI will help reunite orphaned whale with its family

Rescuers in B.C. hope AI will help reunite orphaned whale with its family
The B.C.-based whale research group Bay Cetology is offering access to its online AI-assisted photo database to local photographers and tour operators as part of efforts to track the whale's relatives, giving the calf a chance to connect with its pod. 

Rescuers in B.C. hope AI will help reunite orphaned whale with its family

BC man sentenced to life imprisonment for murder at a grow-op

BC man sentenced to life imprisonment for murder at a grow-op
A British Columbia man has been sentenced to life in prison for a murder at a Mission grow-op. In a decision posted online last week, Van Chau Nguyen pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Vien Bui, who died in August of 2020.  

BC man sentenced to life imprisonment for murder at a grow-op

Unstable nearby construction site forces evacuation of apartment in Kelowna

Unstable nearby construction site forces evacuation of apartment in Kelowna
More than 80 residents of a low-income apartment building in Kelowna, B.C., have been told they need to leave over a "significant" risk to life and safety. A statement from BC Housing says the 84 people who live in Hadgraft Wilson Place will have to move out by Tuesday due to concerns over construction activity at a nearby University of British Columbia-Okanagan site.  

Unstable nearby construction site forces evacuation of apartment in Kelowna

Canada's Haiti airlift expands to include relatives, residents and charter flight

Canada's Haiti airlift expands to include relatives, residents and charter flight
Canada is expanding its evacuation of citizens from Haiti to include relatives and Canadian permanent residents, starting Wednesday if conditions allow. The government has also arranged for a charter flight for Canadians who pay a market rate to fly between the Dominican Republic and Montreal.

Canada's Haiti airlift expands to include relatives, residents and charter flight

Trudeau announces national school food program to feed 400,000 more kids per year

Trudeau announces national school food program to feed 400,000 more kids per year
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the upcoming federal budget will include a national school food program. Trudeau made the announcement in Toronto today with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Families Minister Jenna Sudds as part of the Liberal government's pre-budget tour. 

Trudeau announces national school food program to feed 400,000 more kids per year

2 dead in Kelowna shooting

2 dead in Kelowna shooting
RCMP officers in Kelowna, B.C., are investigating after two bodies were found inside a local business following gunshots and a fire. A statement from the Mounties says they were called to the Adams Road area Wednesday afternoon after receiving a report of gunfire and a subsequent blaze at the building. 

2 dead in Kelowna shooting