Sexual assault organizations struggling to help victims post-pandemic: study – APTN News
May 25, 2023
The preliminary findings of a new national survey is highlighting how frontline sexual assault organizations are struggling to provide timely services to victims and survivors post-pandemic.
The report, which was conducted by national organization Ending Violence Association of Canada, surveyed more than 100 sexual violence organizations (SVOs) across Canada on how the pandemic impacted those organizations.
It found 83 per cent of the organizations surveyed reported increased or consistently high demand for sexual violence support services compared to pre-pandemic levels.
“This suggests that there were unique impacts of the pandemic for sexual violence survivors, distinct from the impacts on domestic violence typically reported,” a survey brief states. “The deepening complexity of underlying factors that compound the impact of sexualized violence may be contributing to these increases, including lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poor health, deteriorating mental well-being and increasing addictions.”
