Quebec announces $1M emergency fund for victims of sexual abuse

The Quebec government will distribute $1 million in emergency fundingto community groups across the province that assist victims of sexual assault and abuse.

HlneDavid, the minister responsible for thestatus of women, made the announcement Thursday, flanked byLucie Charlebois, theminister responsible for youth protection and public health.

David said the money will be dedicated to newresources for frontline workerswho are expecting a surge in demand, followingtheworldwide#metoomovement that has grown out ofallegations of sexual misconduct againstHollywood film producer HarveyWeinstein.

Similar allegations havesurfaced against GillesRozonand ric Salvail,two well-known figures in Quebec's entertainment industry, encouragingQuebecerswho've been sexually harassed or assaulted to come forward.

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"In past years we've seen waves ofdenunciation. SinceWeinstein,we've gone from a wave to a hurricane, a social hurricane," said David.

Charleboisunderlined the importance of accompanying alleged victims through every step of the denunciation process.

"We are aware that it is not easy to come forward, but we want people to know there are services there to help,'' said Charlebois.

Details on how theadditional$1 million will be distributed throughout the province remainto be seen.

Charleboisinvited organizations to get in touch with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, adding that youth, menand theLGBTcommunity would notbe forgotten when it comes to distributing the new resources.

Victims now face waitlists

Support centres for victims of sexual assault told CBC News the new moneyis welcomebut said much more is needed to deal with the chronic underfundingtheyface.

Julie Tremblay, with Viol-Secours in Quebec City, said women and adolescents nowsometimes have to wait up to three months before seeing a social worker.

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''The worst part is sometimes after this period the victims decide to not use our services,'' said Tremblay.

This backlog began one year ago, Tremblaysaid, after a string of assaults wasreported on the campus of Laval University.

''There was a collective movement of indignationtowards sexual abuse,'' said Tremblay, who has seena steady increase in the number of calls to the centre since.

The funding, however, hasn't budged until now.

''We did not see a single penny of new money,'' said Tremblay.

'It's heartbreaking'

Staff at the sexual assault support centre in Val-d'Or, in the Abitibi-Tmiscamingue region,have also been forced to createa waiting list for the first time in the centre's 35 years of existence.

Workers atAssaut Sexuel Secours said this wasdue to increased demand, as well as their outreach work in Indigenous communities following allegations of police mistreatment of women two years ago.

CounsellorJudy Lafontainesaid it isheartbreaking to have to tell women they can't get therapy right away.

"When women look for help, they need it now. Being turned away, they continue feeling helpess, torn,'' Lafontaine said.

Meela Mykoo, who is responsible for the centre'sfinances,said despite requests to several ministries, no additional funding has come their way since what she calls ''thecrisis of 2015."

''We met with Lucie Charleboisa month ago, she told us the budget was done, and there was noadditional money for these services,'' Mykoo told CBC News.

In anemail, the QuebecAboriginal Affairs Secretariat said that"AssautSexuelSecoursinVald'Orreceiveda $264,000 fund from Quebec's community support program for 2016-17."

The secretariat added that ''the centre'sMikiziproject was still under analysis which should be completed in the near future.''

Government to adjust resources

Parti QubcoisLeader Jean-Franois Lise said that 43 centres across Quebec have a collective need of an additional$5 million per year.

''Money has been promised, but right now, these groups have received nothing,'' Lise said during question period on Thursday.

When asked how the government would deal with the recurring problem of underfunding in community services, Charlebois said the province has already committed $223 millionto prevention and support for victimsover the next five years, including $23 million dedicatedto colleges and universities.

"We've already spent $100 million. We will now evaluate where the demands are coming from, and if we need to reassess further down the line, we will," said Charlebois.

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New Montreal hotline

Montreal police have set up atemporaryassistance line for victims of sexual assault.

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A sexual crimes unit investigator will be available Mondayto Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., at 514-280-2079.

The Quebec coalition of sexual assault centres also has help available across the province.