Making a difference for survivors of sexual violence

Some issues facing our community are difficult to talk about.

This doesn’t make them any less detrimental, but it can make it more difficult to raise funds in response to the problem. That’s how United Way can help fund agencies doing critical work in our community that don’t have all the necessary resources to fundraise themselves. We’re proud to highlight just one agency that we support who is making a difference for sexual assault survivors and their families.

The unfortunate truth of this issue is that one in three women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. More than 460,000 sexual assaults happen in Canada every year, and of every 1000, only 33 are reported to police, 6 are prosecuted, and only 3 lead to a conviction.  Sexual Violence is the only violent crime not on a decline in Canada and Niagara is experiencing one of the highest rates of human trafficking in North America.

The Niagara Sexual Assault Centre, right here in Niagara has done transformational work to help combat the rise of sexual assault in our community and is developing best practices that are used throughout the country. NSAC developed Canada’s first sexual assault evidence kit over 40 years ago that is still being used by hospitals today and created online anti-human trafficking awareness training - free for anyone in the hospitality industry. They also participate in a Case Review with the Niagara Regional Police to audit all cases deemed to be unfounded to ensure they have been properly investigated and work to help police better respond to survivors in a trauma informed way.

United Way is proud to have been an important part of the NSAC’s growth and program offerings. United Way provides specific funding for the Hospital Response Program, Public Education Programs and the Child Abuse Prevention Program. These programs are delivered locally to thousands of residents who are in immediate need but also helps improve prevention to work towards avoiding sexual assault situations altogether.

In our mission to address the root causes of local issues and provide innovative solutions towards a more equitable Niagara, the achievements of the Niagara Sexual Assault Centre United are just one example for how your support of United Way is making a difference.

For more information on the Niagara Sexual Assault Centre and everything they do for the community, visit their website. If you are a victim of sexual assault, call their 24-hour crisis line at 905-682-4584.