End the Wait: Donate Today
Jocelyn can still to this day remember the feeling in her body when she would have to tell someone over the phone during an intake that KSAC is here to support them but that the waitlist for them to receive counselling could be up to one year.
It’s almost like I don’t have the words to describe it. Hearing someone’s voice literally deflate after you tell them about the waitlist for counselling. I can still feel the pit in my stomach and the lump in my throat knowing how difficult that first call to us can be and knowing that you have to be the bearer of the bad news. Our clients are so resilient and we just want to give them hope not feel like we have to take some of it away.”
Reaching out for support after an experience of sexual violence is such a big first step whether you experienced the harm recently or experienced it years ago and are just finding the courage to connect with KSAC. Every week members of your own community bravely find the strength to connect with KSAC and are being told they must wait for counselling. It is estimated that around 75% of people who connect with KSAC for counselling services will be faced with waiting to receive that support. This wait can fluctuate anywhere from 3 months, to 6 months, to 1 year.
“It feels like a catch 22- we want our services advertised to the community because we know sexual violence impacts so many people but with more and more people connecting to us for support we struggle to keep up with the demand. Every year our minimal funding stays the same and our waitlist gets bigger.”
It’s also important to note that KSAC is one of the only centres dedicated to supporting sexual violence survivors of all genders ages 16 and up across the four counties of Peterborough Northumberland Kawartha Lakes and Halburton. Not only that but the majority of these supports are completely free. “At KSAC we are so focused on breaking down barriers for people to receive the healing they need and deserve. To then have the roadblock of telling people we can’t provide that for them for months? It’s the most disheartening thing.”
Receiving fast access to support helps reduce risk of survivors developing mental health issues and emphasizes the core message that we believe survivors.
“To see how much healing can be had in our small little centre to see the positive changes and impacts in our clients as they move through our counselling supports to hear how much KSAC has changed their lives for the better…. That’s why we do the work. Survivors deserve to see these positive changes right away.”
Unfortunately we can’t tackle this alone. You can help KSAC end the wait for survivors of sexual violence by donating today. Your donation supports survivors’ journey through group counselling and individual counselling at KSAC and allows us to better help people recover from the trauma that comes with sexual assault. Your donation will help us be there for survivors when they need us and ensure that people who are struggling in the aftermath of their assault, aren’t struggling alone.
Contact Us
- 360 George Street North, 4th Floor, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
- Office Line: 705-748-5901
- [email protected]
24 Hour Crisis Support Line
People of All
Backgrounds, genders, sexualities, ages and abilities are treated with respect and dignity in a nonjudgmental and supportive environment at Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre.
