Interlake women’s program gets unexpected boost from feds

Article content

An organization that works with survivors of sexual violence is breathing a sigh of relief this week, after learning one of their most critical programs can continue because of new federal funding.

Article content

“This is a huge relief, and I think the reason it happened is because our voices were loud and they were heard,” Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre (SHCC) executive director Coral Kendel said.

On Thursday, the federal Department of Justice announced funding of $167,808 for SHCC, an organization based in Pinawa that supports sexual violence and abuse survivors in several rural communities in the Interlake region.

“We had absolutely no idea this was coming, it was disbelief to see such a quick turnaround, we did not expect this,” Kendel said.

The funding means the organization can continue operating its Sexual Assault Recovery and Healing (SARAH) program for at least the next three years, after previously thinking they may have to shut the program down.

Article content

Article content

In April, Kendel went public, after she said she was told by the federal government that funding would not be renewed for the SARAH program after a previous three-year funding agreement ran out earlier this year.

SARAH provides services including one-on-one and long-term counselling, support groups, 24/7 crisis support and information for those who have been victims of sexual abuse or violence, as well as support for those who report a recent or a historical sexual assault to police, and options for third party and anonymous reporting.

Kendel added many believe the SARAH program is one of the most important programs SHCC offers and the outcry that took place after the funding was originally halted in April is the reason the federal government changed course.

Article content

“I can’t believe it was anything other than the public pressure,” she said. “I had so many people standing behind me, and so many reaching out on this because they understood what would have been lost.

“Community members were reaching out, survivors of sexual violence were reaching out. There was such a strong reaction from so many corners of this province, and I can only assume they really heard the response and decided to do the right thing.”

Kendel said although they are hoping for more permanent and long-term funding sources for the SARAH program, SHCC can now breathe a little easier knowing funding is secured for the next three years.

“It now gives us some self-stability while we look for more long-term sources of funding,” she said

She added the funding will be put to good use, as they continue to see survivors of sexual violence and abuse reaching out for help, and inquiring about the SARAH program.

“It’s a very busy program and we have a lot of people that are accessing the services, so a lot of people are relieved that we can continue.”

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Article content