Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS) responds to Ending Violence Association of Canada survey on sexual violence organization survey
Shining a LightOn May 24, Ending Violence Association of Canada (EVA Canada) released the results of its recent survey of 100 sexual violence organizations (SVOs). SASS is a founding member of EVA Canada.
This first-of-its-kind survey found that Canada’s sexual assault centres, rape crisis lines, and other providers of survivor support are struggling to meet the needs of sexual violence survivors across the country due to increased demand for services. The pandemic and the #MeToo movement are integral to the rise in need for sexual violence supports.
The survey found that:
- Eighty-three per cent (83%) of SVOs reported increased or consistently high demand for sexual violence support services compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Seventy-six per cent (76%) of SVOs reported increased or consistently high wait times, resulting in even longer delays to access services than before COVID-19. The longest wait times were for individual and group counselling, with reported waits of six months to a year or longer.
- Forty-six per cent (46%) of organizations reported staff taking medical leave for pandemic-related reasons such as stress, burnout, and illness.
- Fifty-four per cent (54%) reported facing increased challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified staff.
- Nearly 18 per cent (18%) had staff who retired early or left the workforce altogether during COVID-19.
The survey also found serious inequalities in access to specialized services, particularly for those living in remote, rural and northern locations. It also found that current models of support services are not always responsive to the ongoing systemic challenges faced by Indigenous, Black and racialized survivors, newcomers, survivors with disabilities, plus trans and non-binary survivors. As well, lengthy wait times jeopardize treatment, because survivors may no longer be ready for support when they can finally be seen.
“The EVA Canada report is consistent with our Saskatchewan data that found significant shortages and long-wait times for specialized counselling and healing services particularly in rural and remote communities,” said Kerrie Isaac, executive director at SASS. “Saskatchewan needs long-term, stable, and predictable funding to adequately provide trauma- and violence-informed specialized counselling services that support the distinct circumstances of diverse populations across the province. This will ensure that survivors are able to cope with the effects of trauma and live long, healthy, and productive lives.”
Research in Saskatchewan found that half (49%) of primary survivors accessed at least one form of services and support in relations to their sexual assault incident. As well, 55.2% of survivors did not have access to services and support due to a combination of factors including lack of available services in their community, barriers with transportation, childcare, poverty, and addictions. The most sought out services were mental health counselling (67.5%) and sexual assault counselling (44.7%).
SASS is proud to represent Saskatchewan’s priorities and needs as we work with EVA Canada and other organizations to address gender-based violence across the country.
To learn more about the survey, please visit https://endingviolencecanada.org/national-survey-finds-increased-demand-wait-times-for-vast-majority-of-sexual-violence-organizations-during-pandemic/
The Ending Violence Association of Canada (EVA Canada) is a national organization that works to amplify the collective voice of those who believe it is possible to end gender-based violence. Their membership includes provincial and territorial networks of sexual assault centres and other gender-based violence organizations from across the country.
For more information, see our report on Sexual Violence in Saskatchewan.
Reference: Umereweneza, P., Lovrod, M., Findlay, I., Giesbrecht, C., Valle-Castro, M., Mason, N., Anaquod., & Hoffart, R. (2020). Sexual Violence in Saskatchewan: Voices, Stories, Insights, and Actions from the Front Lines. Saskatoon: Community-University Institute for Social Research.