(Image generated using AI)

Nearly $21 million in new and expanded funding will strengthen specialized services for survivors, children, youth and families across Alberta.

Alberta is expanding access to specialized supports for Albertans affected by sexual violence and abuse through nearly $21 million in new and expanded funding.

The provincial government is providing $17 million to 15 sexual assault centres and the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services. The investment includes an additional $3.3 million toward the government’s commitment to increase funding for sexual assault centres by $10 million by 2028-29.

The province is also providing $3.7 million in annual funding to eight child advocacy centres. The funding is intended to improve access to coordinated, specialized care for children, youth and families affected by sexual violence and abuse.

“Sexual assault centres and child advocacy centres provide critical supports for survivors across Alberta at every stage of their healing journey,” said Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services. “Through these investments, we are strengthening the work of these organizations to provide specialized supports for vulnerable Albertans as they navigate some of the most challenging times of their lives.”

The government says the funding will help organizations respond to growing demand while ensuring survivors can access timely, trauma-informed support in their communities.

“Every Albertan deserves access to support during times of crisis,” said Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “By investing in the organizations that provide front-line support, our government is helping ensure compassionate, trauma-informed care remains available in communities across Alberta.”

The province also highlighted the importance of culturally appropriate services for Indigenous survivors.

“Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit plus people experience sexual violence at disproportionate rates, and they need safe, respectful and culturally sensitive supports,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Indigenous Relations. “This funding will strengthen the front-line services survivors rely on and help ensure they can access culturally informed, survivor-centred care when and where they need it.”

Sexual assault centres provide services to people of all ages affected by sexual violence. Their work can include crisis response, counselling and longer-term therapeutic care.

Child advocacy centres provide coordinated, multidisciplinary services for children and youth affected by abuse or neglect. By bringing services together, the centres can help reduce the risk of further trauma for young people as they navigate support services and, where applicable, the justice system.

Alberta says it works with sexual assault centres and child advocacy centres to better understand the role each organization plays and improve coordination between services. The province says stronger information sharing and coordination can help vulnerable Albertans receive timely and responsive support.

Corinne Ofstie, co-chief executive officer of the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, welcomed the investment.

“We are deeply grateful for the Government of Alberta’s continued and enhanced investment in specialized sexual violence services,” Ofstie said. “This funding provides much-needed stability and capacity for sexual assault centres across Alberta to respond to growing demand and ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to timely, responsive supports, when and where they need it.”

Funding across Alberta

Budget 2026 includes more than $93 million for the prevention of family and sexual violence, including funding for sexual assault centres and other services intended to help individuals and families access support.

The province says that by the end of the current fiscal year, it will have delivered $6.3 million of its additional $10-million funding commitment to sexual assault centres, with the full commitment scheduled to be reached by 2028-29.

The 15 funded sexual assault centres are located in communities across the province, including Stettler, Calgary, Lethbridge, Bonnyville, Hinton, Lloydminster, Grande Prairie, Sherwood Park, Red Deer, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray and Banff.

The eight funded child advocacy and child and youth advocacy centres are located in Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray and Edmonton.

The province says the expanded funding will help strengthen the front-line organizations that survivors and families rely on, while improving access to specialized care across Alberta.

For more information about sexual violence prevention and support, visit the Government of Alberta website at www.alberta.ca/sexual-violence-prevention.

(Source: Government of Alberta)