The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC), formally known
as the Kitchener-Waterloo Sexual Assault Support Centre, began in
the spring of 1989 with the purpose of establishing a rape crisis centre in
Waterloo Region. The community had been without a rape crisis centre for 11
years as the Waterloo Rape Distress Centre was forced to close when its
funding was cut in 1978.
Community women began to share ideas for establishing a 24-hour crisis line
for survivors of sexual assault. Many of the women involved were survivors of
sexual violence and recognized there was inadequate support for survivors in
the area. They were determined to build a strong grassroots based Centre
for women that could truly respond to the needs of the community.
Donations were received from individuals in the community. Two pagers and
airtime from a message service were also donated. A Crisis and Support Line
was established with 10 volunteers working endless shifts during the first eight
months.
In June 1990, in response to the massacre of 14 women in Montreal, Mutual Life
of Canada (now Sun Life Financial) formed an Anti-Violence Committee which donated
$30,000 to SASC to assist in the establishment of the Centre. Office space was
rented and a staff person hired. Funding was then received by Ministry of
Solicitor General and Correctional Services of Ontario. Basic funding now comes
from the Ministry of the Attorney General.
There are more than 60 women doing volunteer work for SASC at any given
time. Volunteers assist with the Crisis and Support Line, resources and office
work, Public Education, committee work and the Board of Directors. As well, we
have 15 men volunteering in our Male Allies Against Sexual Violence (MAASV)
program established in 2008. We have grown to six full-time staff members, and
three part-time staff members.
