Ontario investing in Woodstock to support gender-based violence

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“It’s a game-changer.”

That is how the head of the Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS) described a recent funding announcement from the province. Laura McCreary is a therapist and program coordinator.

The province said it is taking action to prevent and address gender-based violence and support survivors in Oxford by investing nearly $460,000 over three years in Oxford County Community Health Centre (OXCHC) to expand services to support victims of sexual assault.

McCreary said Oxford County has been significantly under-resourced for many years when it comes to sexual violence support.

“OSAS is the only provider in the county. It’s a relatively new program established in 2022 and is a program within the OXCHC. Our work has focused since then on trying to stabilize the services, and this is big news for us. It means over the next two years we will be not only able to stabilize services but also expand them.”

The boost in funding means the organization will be able to expand its eligibility criteria.

“We will be able to provide supports for people of any age who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. For the first time, we will be able to support children and youth. Previously, we were supporting women and identified people over the age of 16 and now we will support all gender identities at any age as well as family and caregivers for kids who have experienced sexual abuse,” explained McCreary.

She added it is difficult to say how many more people OSAS will be able to serve with the injection of funding, but she expects many more will be helped.

“The number of interactions or sessions we will be able to deliver will at least double. The program was previously running with only me at four days a week and stabilized with the support of the United Way. Without them, there would have been no services.”

A major goal of the program is to increase partnerships to make services more accessible for those who have been impacted by sexual violence and also wants people to understand the services OSAS offers. 

“We provide comprehensive supports, so whatever someone would require. That might be counselling or therapy, or even information. What does it mean to go to the police? What can I expect in court? What are my rights? It might be safety planning, risk assessment or advocacy. We offer medical follow-up care within our nursing teams such as STI testing, documentation and treatment of injuries,” she explained.

McCreary added the biggest message to get out to the community is the organization is there to support victims and their door is always open. Waitlists at the centre have been increasing over time and McCreary explained violent crime, including sexual assault, is on the rise along with the number of people who need to leave the county to receive support. She added victims living in rural areas will be able to get help closer to home.

“We have such a vast, large county and it takes more than an hour to get across it, let alone having to travel to London for supports.

The centre’s funding will expire on March 31, 2027, as they found out about the grant last year but the official announcement was just made.

“The hope is we will be able to stabilize this program long-term, replicating the supports and services other communities have,” McCreary said.

“This is good news for Oxford and some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “Ensuring funding for programs that support survivors of sexual assault helps provide safety, healing, and a path forward for those who need it.”

The investment is part of Ontario’s plan to better respond to violence, build safer and healthier communities, and support women’s well-being and economic opportunities through Ontario’s action plan to end gender-based violence.

“Our government is continuing to take action to end gender-based violence in all its forms,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “I’m proud that Ontario is funding new and innovative projects across the province. Together with community partners, we are supporting local solutions and building safer and healthier communities for generations to come.”