An Alberta organization that helps support sexual assault victims released a plan Thursday morning it says could help put an end to sexual violence in the province.
The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) said its plan is the first of its kind in the province and Western Canada.
ASSAS says the group’s new Sexual Violence Action Plan has been developed and will be led by front-line service providers.
The plan is designed to be a blueprint for multi-disciplinary service providers and policy makers to help them address the problem of sexual violence in Alberta.
“It acts as a road map, a blueprint for health, justice, community and social services, education, advanced education, policy makers and leaders to guide them, to create social policy and to allocate funds to programs that will make a difference in our province,” ASSAS chief executive officer Deb Tomlinson said.
It has four strategic priorities:
- Strong leadership and accountability
- Effective prevention strategies
- Effective outreach strategies
- Enhanced intervention
In order to establish strong leadership and accountability, the association said a cross-ministerial response to sexual violence is required, as well as leadership in coordination and collaboration across the province.
The plan states a comprehensive education strategy and changing societal attitudes and norms are required to achieve effective prevention strategies.
To reach enhanced intervention, the plan lists crisis intervention, counselling, police and court support, volunteer support and offender services as critical components.
Earlier this week, Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley announced she will look to introduce a new, standardized response for police officers investigating sexual assault offences.
READ MORE: Alberta to establish standard police protocol for sexual assaults
The Sexual Violence Police Advisory Committee is currently working to develop a set of guidelines to present to Ganley.
“We’d really like to see some consistency across the province, and that’s what the group is recommending is that we have sort of a consistent standard – just so we can ensure that survivors are being treated appropriately when they come through the system,” Ganley said.
Ganley said victims should all be treated with the same support and respect, no matter where they live in Alberta or which police force they encounter.
READ MORE: RCMP response leaves Alberta sexual assault victim wishing she never reported it
The province is also introducing a sexual assault resource card that police officers across the province will be directed to hand out to victims.
One side lists phone numbers and websites for community support organizations.
The AASAS is listed on the card. AASAS staff are specifically trained in dealing with sexual assaults.
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