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By Nicole Reis

Family services in Meadow Lake

Sexual assault services expand for Meadow Lake and surrounding area

Nov 6, 2019 | 5:36 PM

Saskatchewan has the highest number of interpersonal assault cases in the country. Those can be classified as disputes between families and personal relationships.

The staggering 2018 statistic is according to Viki Bird, Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Executive Director. The Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit received funding from the province to improve and expand services in Meadow Lake.

“Services being provided to Meadow Lake will be offered in sexual assault and domestic violence. We’ll offer counselling, training, education and support to families,” she said.

Crisis support services provide direct support to victims of sexual assault and provide emergency intervention. This includes accompanying individuals to appointments, providing information and referrals, and educating the public about the impact sexual assault has on individuals and the community.

“It’s a great start. With only three out of 10 [assault cases] reported, we’re hoping that reports increase. We want people reporting so that they can connect to services. If we have these services accessible then maybe people will access them. It’s difficult for Northern communities to find services that work,” Bird said.

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Approximately $66,000 will be provided to the Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit to deliver sexual assault support services in Meadow Lake and the surrounding area.

Southwest Crisis Services will receive approximately $110,000 each year for the next two years to deliver sexual assault support services in Swift Current and the surrounding area.

This funding is part of approximately $1.5 million in funding the ministries of Justice and Attorney General and Corrections and Policing. These branches of government have committed to service providers across the province to deliver support to survivors of sexual violence.

“We want to thank the Government of Saskatchewan for inviting Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Sexual Assault Unit to expand our services into Northern Saskatchewan,” Bird said.

There has been a 24 per cent increase in funding for these services since 2017-18.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

@nicolereis7722