B.C. adds $10 million to abuse services program

A program that provides support services for survivors of sexual assault in British Columbia is getting an extra $10 million to expand its work across the province.

Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says the government is increasing its grant funding to the Ending Violence Association of B.C. to help it provide more community-based sexual assault response service programs.

He says sexual assault and gender-based violence have devastating impacts on survivors and the need for services and programs to help them is vast.

B.C. provided $10 million last year to help launch the Emergency Sexual Assault Services grant program to support and co-ordinate the delivery response services.

Sexual assault has devastating impacts on survivors. That’s why we are prioritizing services for those affected. With additional funding to @EndViolenceBC, more survivors will have access to the supports they need.

Learn more: https://t.co/cAmbaad25n pic.twitter.com/3DGUHnshln

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) May 28, 2021

Farnworth says the funding saw 23 organizations provide services to survivors of sexual assault.

Tracy Porteous, the retiring executive director for the Ending Violence Association, told a news conference the community-based services offer much-needed help to people who have been harmed.