A funding program for sexual violence services is nearing its end and that’s left groups scrambling.
As a part of Nova Scotia’s 2015 sexual violence strategy, several organizations received temporary funding to provide sexual assault services.
Second Story Women’s Centre received over $100,000 over two years to operate the sexual assault services for Lunenburg-Queens.
That included the creation of a sexual assault response team.
It helps victims navigate the system and access services.
Rhonda Lemire, executive director of the centre, says they’ve seen a clear need for the team since its inception.
“It’s really challenging when you’re operating a program and you’ve told the community that these programs are available and then they have a sudden full stop.”
She says the province put money in the budget for sexual assault services but they aren’t sure who is getting the money and how much.
Meanwhile, community services minister Kelly Regan, says the organizations were aware the grants were for one-time funding.
Regan says the government is moving on to a focus of early prevention.
“The next round of grants will be focusing on initiatives that focus on prevention and early intervention of sexual abuse and exploitation of young people including human trafficking.”
She says they’re making the move because of the high percentage of young people who are assaulted.
“The reason we’re doing this is when you look at who gets sexually assaulted, about 55 per cent of victims that get reported are young people but they’re only 20 per cent of the population.”
Those grants will be announced later this spring.
But Second Story says they haven’t been able to plan their budget because they don’t know whether they’ll be able to afford all their services or not.
“It’s not like sexual violence has stopped,” says Lemire. “So if the province has supported them up to now it just makes sense to continue those services and support for our community.”
She says the centre and their partners will have to do their best to keep the team going beyond April.
