With the aim of supporting newcomer survivors of sexualized violence in B.C., MOSAIC’s Emergency Sexual Assault (ESA) Crisis Line launched as a two-month pilot project on April 12.
Supported by a team of trained volunteers speaking more than 15 languages, the ESA Crisis Line provides confidential support via phone calls or text messages Monday to Friday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Survivors receive emotional support and safety planning to better navigate their respective situations, and are linked to community resources.
According to a 2018 study by Statistics Canada, more than 11 million Canadians have experienced physical or sexual assault over the age of 15, corresponding to 39 per cent of women and 35 per cent of men, with a higher prevalence of sexual assault among women.
MOSAIC’s ESA Crisis Line Coordinator, Sarah Wright, noted the crisis line is open to everyone regardless of gender identity or cultural background. Wright said the crisis line is open to different forms of healing and recovery for everyone, and believes that survivors are “experts in their own healing.”
“We recognize that culture is an asset, not a barrier, and we see the importance of developing a service that centres the culture of our callers,” Wright said. “Our team represents many languages, cultures and lived experiences, and we believe that support should be accessible in different languages, holding the understanding that safety and recovery looks different for everyone.”
This program is funded by the Ending Violence Association of BC.
