Sexual Violence Services

Brief Description

Sexual Violence Services agencies provide direct support for survivors of sexual violence throughout Saskatchewan. These service providers offer a variety of services to survivors based on community need.

Many sexual violence services agencies are members of Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan Inc. (SASS) a non-profit umbrella association for community-based organizations that provide direct services to survivors of sexual assault and abuse, secondary victims and community.

Goals

The main goals of this program are to provide:

1. Incident Response – services offered respond to harm and/or victimization that has occurred.
2. Risk Intervention – services offered identify risk situations and mobilize interventions to mitigate identified risks.
3. Prevention – services offered encourage protective factors related to known risks.

Clientele

Survivors of sexual violence. Clients may be self referred or referred by Community Based Organizations.

SASS is an umbrella association for community-based organizations that provide services to survivors of sexual assault. It works to establish collaborative partnerships with community organizations, first responders and various levels of government to shine a light on the issue of sexual violence in Saskatchewan. Membership with SASS is fee based and voluntary.

Core Components

Emergency Support: Survivors of sexual violence have access to safe and confidential support via telephone and internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Intervention/Risk Reduction/Intermediate Support: Adult and child survivors of sexual violence have access to safe, confidential counselling and advocacy services. Family/support people of survivors of sexual violence have access to counselling services. Adult and youth survivors of sexual violence have access to trauma informed healing practices.

Prevention: Individuals, the community and referral agencies have greater access to information about the dynamics of sexual violence, the impact of sexual trauma on survivors, and survivors needs. The community is aware of the agency and the services provided. Hospital staff and RCMP members have an increased understanding of trauma-informed care and practice.

Social Development: Increase referral sources and improve referral services. Collaborating with other agencies on new and existing services for clients. Networking with service providers to address overlapping needs of clients.

Services offered may include: Long term and short term crisis counselling, group counselling, 24-hour crisis line, support groups, advocacy, public education, accompaniment (to medical and legal appointments), transportation, referrals and connections to resources and agencies.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: Program agencies are responsible for overall administration, coordination of services and ensuring the program is administered appropriately.
• Partnerships: Sexual Violence Services programs continuously work to improve professional relationships with governments and external agencies. Their networks include a broad range of partners who come from communities, governments, policing, health and other community-based organizations.
• Training and technical assistance: The Community Safety and Well-Being Branch offers ongoing support in the areas of contract obligations, program development and support or guidance, if requested.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

Sexual Violence Services in Saskatchewan have been funded since 1996 and are available in Carlyle, Estevan, Grandmother’s Bay, La Ronge, Lloydminster, Meadow Lake, North Battleford, Oxbow, Pinehouse, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Stanley Mission, Sucker River, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.

SASS was established in 1984 and has member agencies in Battlefords, Carlyle, Estevan, Humboldt, Kindersley, La Ronge, Melfort, Oxbow, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Weyburn and Yorkton.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

In 2021-22, Community Safety Well-Being will provide $1.6M in funding to eight agencies. These eight agencies served approximately 3,000 clients in 2019-20.

Community Safety and Well-Being will provide SASS with $163,557 in funding over the next three years. This program is also funded by the Government of Saskatchewan, Status of Women office, Government of Canada, Women and Gender Equality Canada, South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, Fergusson Foundation and the Community Initiatives Fund.

References

Community-University Institute for Social Research. (2020). Sexual Violence in Saskatchewan: Voices, Stories, Insights, and Actions from the Front Lines. https://sassk.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/SASS-CUISR-Sexual-Violence-Final-Report-April-30.pdf

For more information on this program, contact:

Integrated Justice Services

Community Safety & Well-Being

Interpersonal Violence and Abuse

600 - 1874 Scarth Street

Regina, SK S4P 4B3

Telephone: 306-787-2733

Email: sarah.collins@gov.sk.ca

Website: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/justice-crime-and-the-law/victims-of-crime-and-abuse/interpersonal-violence-and-abuse-programs

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Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan Inc.

335 Maxwell Crescent

Regina, SK S4N 5X9

Telephone: 306-757-1941

Email: info.sass@sasktel.net

Website: www.sassk.ca