2022 In its 2022 budget release, the British Columbian government announced $10 million for ongoing funding for Sexual Assault Services.
January 2023 The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (MPSSG) released a call for responses for Sexual Assault Services.
Spring 2023
SOURCES submitted a proposal and was awarded the contract for the Nanaimo and Oceanside areas. The Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch of MPSSG oversees these new services.
The proposal
The proposal focused on the need for a multi-component approach to providing service. We recognized that sexualized violence is enrooted in our society, it is underreported, victim blaming occurs and it can be extremely difficult for someone to talk about what occurred and reach out for support. The multi-component approach to service delivery was created to reach as many survivors as possible and their support systems.
- Mid-Island Sexual Assault Services – MISAS.ca
- Program Response Line –228.2273 (CARE)
- Virtual Servicesand Outreach
- Sexual Assault Services Support Worker Program
- Sexual Assault ServicesClinical Counselling Program
- Community Engagement and Education – workshops and presentations
- Volunteerism
Summer 2023
Received funding for Mid-Island Sexual Assault Services. Started providing services. The new funding will support recovery of survivors of Sexualized Violence through coordinated community-based services that are victim centred, trauma informed, inclusive and culturally safe.
- Creating space for healing by providing a caring and supportive response to survivors of sexual assault that are rooted in cultural humility based on acceptance, inclusivity and diversity for all genders and all ages across the lifespan.
- Working in collaboration and in conjunction with other service providers to provide optimum support and to help provide thorough support for each person.
- Working towards minimizing barriers to service, creating allies, providing education and awareness, and supporting all peoples who are survivors of sexual assault within the Mid-Vancouver Island area.
- Providing information and referrals to access victim services, counselling and other community supports.
- Addressing the attitudes and beliefs in our communities that perpetuate sexual assault and highlighting why sexual assault is never the fault of the person who has been harmed.
What we do
- Respond within 72 hours to provide emotional and practical support to survivors of sexualized violence, recent and historical, of any age.
- Advocacy and support for navigating connections to health services, legal advice, safer housing, CVAP, victim services and outreach support and crisis accompaniment.
- Connecting survivors with community resources to assist with healing.
- Safety planning and stabilization to reduce the risk of further victimization.
- Support with navigating justice services including court process and court accompaniment.
- Limited clinical counselling available through the support worker program.
March 2024 Launched MISAS.com
Coming Soon We are currently looking for volunteers to launch the first training program for volunteers in September 2024.
Please feel free to call or email us any questions about our services or if you would like to access our programming for yourself, child, or someone you know.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month 