Provincial sexual assault strategy needed: Sask. NDP

Sexual Assault Awareness Week may be over in Saskatchewan, but many across the province are still looking at ways to keep the conversation going.

With Saskatchewan having the second highest rate of sexual assaults per capita in Canada, NDP justice critic Nicole Sarauer suggests the province form a strategy.

“It allows ability to hold to account the province in making sure we’re re-implementing what we need to be addressing this,” she said.

“Experts can shed light on the problem, and put forth some resolutions and some opportunities for solutions that we have within the province that we could be implementing.”

Sarauer noted Saskatchewan can look to other provinces, like Ontario, that adds healthy relationships and consent into the curriculum.

“They have students in Kindergarten up until Grade 12, so we’re instilling these notions and this understanding to kids at a young age,” she said, adding preventative measures are equally as important as the reactive.

With Saskatchewan’s sexual assault supports being flatlined for years, Sarauer said more provincial funding is necessary to help victims of sexual assault.

— With files from Murray Wood