The British Columbia government has announced that $22 million in funding will be directed to sexual assault support programs across the province.

The proposed funding is set to go to programs that traditionally operate solely from grants and other forms of donations. This funding will go directly to support the sexual assault response program’s core operations, so they can continue to stay afloat and offer their much-needed services. Some organizations, including the Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling, are set to run out of funding in the coming years. Therefore, this injection of support will help keep them running.  

While the distribution plan has yet to be finalized, the Ministry of Finance is currently working to have such ready in the coming months. The Ending Violence Association of BC has been pushing for more funding for these response programs for over 20 years now. Their executive team says they are thrilled that the current government is taking a large step in supporting and protecting survivors of sexual assault. The Ending Violence Association of BC has additionally provided $20 million in support to community programs across the province in 2021

First reported by cbc.ca