Avalon Sexual Assault Centre Receives Provincial Funding

A new training program will help women's centres throughout Nova Scotia provide even better support services for sexual assault survivors and their families.

Community Services Minister, David Morse, announced today, May 1, that the province will provide $50,000 to Avalon Sexual Assault Centre to deliver specialized training for the eight women's centres in the province.

"Supporting women and families in times of need is vital to their health and well-being," said Mr. Morse. "I congratulate the Avalon centre for reaching out to women's centres in the province to share its expertise. This funding will ensure the right people are better trained to help women and families when they are most vulnerable."

The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre is an organization dedicated to helping women and their families heal from the effects of sexual violence. It provides individual and group counseling, referral services and other support services for sexual abuse survivors and their families, including immediate crisis medical care. It also provides education and sexual assault training for community organizations.

"As a leader in providing support for sexual assault victims for more than 23 years, we will lend our experience and expertise to educate and train our colleagues at women's centres across Nova Scotia," said Irene Smith, executive director, Sexual Assault Centre. "Specialized training developed for each centre will help staff provide appropriate support services to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors."

The Department of Community Services provides about $6 million each year to women's centres, transition houses, and other community organizations to provide support, assistance and education to families dealing with sexual abuse or violence.