August 30, 2013

On August 28 and 29, 2013, eight organizations from across the province came together in Halifax to collaborate on a hub model to sexual assault services in Nova Scotia. The meeting was made possible by funding announced in July from the provincial Action Team on Sexual Violence and Bullying.

“Accessibility has been identified as a key problem when it comes to sexual assault services across this province,” says Irene Smith, Executive Director of Avalon Sexual Assault Centre. “While community-based agencies have been collaborating for years, these past two days were an opportunity for us to begin the process of creating a formal sexual assault response model that can be used in all areas of our province. We are committed to keeping individuals, families and communities affected by sexualized violence the central focus of this model.”

Representatives from the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association, Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, Every Woman’s Centre, the Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers, the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association, Pictou County Women’s Centre, Second Story Women’s Centre and Tri County Women’s Centre attended the two day planning forum.

On August 29, the Nova Scotia government released the Progress Report and Transition Plan for the Action Team on Sexual Violence and Bullying. Avalon Centre is pleased that the government is taking action and that all three political parties expressed support for addressing sexualized violence. All organizations in attendance look forward to working with the province to strengthen community-based sexual assault services.