For Immediate Release 

[Coast Salish Territories, Vancouver, BC]: April 11, 2024 — Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (formally known as WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre) will be opening the doors to their new sexual assault support centre at the end of April. This will be the first space in Vancouver that was designed by survivors for survivors, and will offer free-of-charge services to more than 10,000 survivors annually.

The need for advocacy and support for survivors of sexualized violence has climbed steadily over the past five years. In 2022, Statistics Canada reported that sexual assault is the only violent crime that is not on the decline.  In 2023, Vancouver Police Department reported that sexual assaults have increased by 9.6% compared to 2022. Salal’s new centre addresses the surging need of support services for survivors. 

“We have experienced a significant increase in people needing urgent care after an assault since 2020, so it was clear we needed to increase our capacity to address the rising demand.” says Salal’s Executive Director Dalya Israel. “Survivors deserve a space where they can gather together to find connection and safety, and as we enter our 41st year of doing this work, we can finally offer something that supports them to rebuild their lives following their experience with violence.”

Statistics show that one in three women experience sexualized violence at least once in their lifetime. Indigenous people, disabled people, and trans and gender diverse people are at higher risk of experiencing an assault. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that violence is a public health issue and requires a multisectoral approach as identified in a report issued in 2022. 

“Each survivor has unique needs, so it was essential for us to take into account their individuality when we started envisioning the design.” Israel adds, “Having a physical environment that offers accessibility and cultural representation is one of the first steps for them to heal from the trauma of sexualized violence.”

Studies show how design is a fundamental component towards recovering from a traumatic experience. Using trauma-informed design principles, Salal’s new sexual assault centre includes features like a meditation room for survivors to find grounding pre and post session-care, cove lighting in counselling rooms to support emotional regulation, a private reporting room as an alternative to going to the police station, and a community room for hosting Indigenous ceremonies, workshops, and community training. Details like these incorporate these principles to foster comfort, safety, and connection for survivors to benefit from Salal’s support services. 

“A lot of love has been poured into this new ‘hub of care’ for survivors. This was a missing piece from all the services we’ve been providing over the past four decades.”, continues Israel, “This new centre means we can answer survivors’ calls for a space that offers community connection, ceremony, and healing all in one location.”

Since 1983, Salal has provided a wide range of support services including their 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line, crisis response such as hospital, police, and court accompaniment, individual counselling, support groups, and community advocacy. They were also integral to the creation of the sexual assault centre at BC Women’s Hospital, the Sex Crimes Unit at the Vancouver Police Department, the UBC Sexual Assault Support Centre, as well as having a profound impact on the criminal justice system.

As an organization rooted in community the public is invited to support Salal as they reach the final weeks of construction. Opportunities to participate include donating for naming rights of counselling rooms or adding your name or a survivor’s name to their donor wall by purchasing a ‘square of care’. Local artists and businesses can help provide furnishings, artwork, or can even design a room themselves to show survivors the many ways Vancouver stands-up for safety. 

“Everyone has a role to play in ending sexualized violence. Survivors’ healing thrives when there is a community of support behind them.” concludes Dalya. “This new home is for every survivor, and we all have a responsibility to co-create a space of healing, warmth, and safety. If you are interested in supporting this project and dreaming with us, we can’t wait to hear from you”.

The location of Salal’s new sexual assault support centre will remain confidential for the security of survivors and staff but anyone can learn more about the ways they can join Salal mission to ‘supporting survivors and shifting society’ through their website at salalsvsc.ca. If you know someone who is in need of support you can call Salal’s 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line toll-free at 1-877-392-7583.

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Media Contact

Emily Oswald
Manager of Fund Development and Communications
Salal Sexual Violence Support  Centre
emily@salalsvsc.ca
604-255-6228 x 240