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Calgary sexual assault centres in crisis following increase in victims coming forward

Click to play video: 'Calgary sexual assault centres in crisis following an increase in victims coming forward'
Calgary sexual assault centres in crisis following an increase in victims coming forward
WATCH: The number of victims coming forward amid the #MeToo movement is putting a strain on resources for both police and sexual assault counselling services across Alberta. But statistics suggest the greatest need is in Calgary. Nancy Hixt reports – Feb 28, 2018

The number of sexual abuse victims asking for support in the city is greater than ever before, according to Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA).

That means getting help is taking more time.

“We are absolutely stretched,” Danielle Aubry said.

Watch below from Feb. 1: Many people are choosing to go public with sexual misconduct allegations, instead of going to police. So what do you need to know to steer clear of legal hot water? Nancy Hixt reports.

Click to play video: 'Legal experts urge caution when posting online amid #MeToo movement'
Legal experts urge caution when posting online amid #MeToo movement

The executive director of CCASA said current counselling staff simply can’t keep up.

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Two hundred and sixty people are currently on the wait list for sexual abuse counselling in Calgary. Timewise, people are looking at eight to nine months.

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“I would say the sexual assault centres in Alberta are in crisis,” Aubry said.

READ MORE: More detectives needed as #MeToo increases demands on Calgary Police

The #MeToo movement has been growing with new allegations of inappropriate behaviour coming out daily.

The increase in victims reporting is at least partially attributed to the movement—for both current and historical cases.

“We’re dealing with the last 40 or 50 years of people coming forward,” Aubry said.

“We’ve always had people that would have phoned and said, ‘This happened to me 30 years ago and I’m coming forward now’ but the numbers are exponentially bigger than what they used to be.”

Sexual assault centres have asked for increased government funding.

Officials at CCASA said they could use double the counselling staff to keep up with demand.

In the meantime, they are triaging people in need of help, and asking those on wait lists not to give up.

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