Thunder Bay site for Ontario pilot project to provide free legal help to sexual assault survivors

Ontario is piloting a new program in three cities, including Thunder Bay,that will give survivors of sexual assault access to free legal advice, regardless of how much time has passed since the incident.

Starting June 28, survivors of sexual assault living in Toronto, Ottawa, and the District of Thunder Bay will be able to receive up to four hours of free, confidential advice from a lawyer.

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The pilot is expected to run until March 2018. During that time, the province will assess the effectiveness of the program and determine its next steps.

In a news release Tuesday,Ontario's Attorney General Yasir Naqvi said that survivors of assault need to know they have choices, as well as power.

"Providing them with information on support services that are available is only one piece," Naqvi said."Offering them free legal advice is key to helping them make decisions about what is best for them as they move forward."

Eligible female and male survivors can access the program by filling out and submitting a voucher request form, available at ontario.ca/legaladvice.

Helping ensure survivors of sexual assault are informed and supported is part of It's Never Okay - Ontario's Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.

According to the Ministry of the Attorney General, the plan is helping change attitudes, improve supports for survivors and make workplaces and campuses safer and more responsive to complaints about sexual violence and harassment.