Victim Services offers culturally-safe, trauma-informed support to survivors of crime and violence.
Women in the Downtown Eastside face increased levels of violence in their daily lives, including assault, rape, theft and emotional abuse. Unfortunately, most of the women we serve live with trauma caused by their experiences of institutionalized violence from healthcare providers and/or law-enforcement for example and will therefore not access those institutions out of fear and/or mistrust.
The level of violence and cruelty being reported in sexually violent crimes is getting more and more unfathomable. The Sexual Assault Response program provides ongoing support and assistance to survivors of sexual violence. Staff provide emotional support, collect evidence when asked, go on accompaniments to court, hospital or any other judicial-related systems, and offer referrals to appropriate resources. In cases of intimate partner assaults, our staff can also support her with creating a safety plan, looking for alternative housing.
86 women reported sexual assaults in 2023-24
- 24 women reported assaults by an intimate partner
- 49 women reported a total of 261 repeated assaults
- 5 women decided to report to the VPD
- 1 woman went to court