SURREY – New Democrat MLA Bruce Ralston says that the government is adding services to support survivors of sexual violence in Surrey through restored funding after it was cut by Kevin Falcon and the BC Liberals in 2002.

“The Surrey Women’s Centre has provided free counselling and other important services to those in need for more than 30 years,” says Bruce Ralson, MLA for Surrey-Whalley. “As part of our government’s pledge to take action against sexualized violence, our government has restored funding so that staff at the Surrey Women’s Centre can continue their critical work.”

This funding will go towards centres in five large urban areas, including Surrey Women’s Centre Society in Surrey to provide a trauma-informed space where survivors can access a range of services and supports including counselling, emotional support, and other assistance. The centres will provide a supportive space for survivors to meet with police and have access to medical forensic examinations and other services as chosen by the survivor. These centres are in addition to the 70 newly expanded sexual assault services that provide survivor-driven, trauma-informed services.

Beginning in April 2023, $10 million annually will go to support these initiatives.

Better support for survivors of sexualized violence and crime is one component of a multi-year action plan to help end gender-based violence being developed by the Ministry of Finance’s Gender Equity Office and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. This work is being guided by Indigenous partners and organizations, an advisory committee and the many experts, advocates and leaders who have provided feedback and are helping to shape B.C.’s gender-based violence action plan.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/29685

For more information about the sexual assault centre in Surrey, visit: https://surreywomenscentre.ca/