Changes to sexual violence support an 'incredible loss,' centre says

Changes to how survivors of sexual or domestic violence are compensated for their abuse is an "incredible loss," according to theSexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.

Themoney was used by many victims to start a new life, says Sara Casselman, the centre's executive director, and provided a"sense of hope" for people even if the courts didn't rule in their favour.

"I can't tell you how meaningful and profound it was for so many survivors," said Casselman. "To have someone in authority say 'I believe you. I'm sorry this happened. And here's just something that we can do to help you move forward with your life.' "

Casselman estimates dozens of survivors received support every year from counsellors at the Sexual Assault Support Centre to apply for funding.

But that support and the money is nowgone, replaced onOct.1by a new system called the Victim Quick Response Program. It reimburses victims of crime for direct costs associated with an assault, like home repairs, but does not fund trauma therapy unlike the previous Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

The new program also only supportssexual assault survivors for incidents that happened in the last six months; survivors are not eligible for compensation for historical assaults.

Now, sexual assault support centres across the province are calling for Ontario's attorney generalto reverse that change and reinstate the previous system of victim compensation.

Casselman says the cuts come at a time when sexual assault support centres are seeing an increase in demand for counselling and longer waiting lists for sexual violence survivors who, she says, shouldn't have to wait at all.

She hopes the government will reverse its decision, saying the demand is greater than ever.

"Five years ago if we had 40 survivors waiting for counseling at our center we would have thought we were in crisis," Casselman said.

"This year the average number of folks on the waiting list at any given point has been 140. So that the demand is really tangible and it's real."