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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 8, 20 18 | 2 Survivors of sexual abuse in Halton Hills could be getting desperately needed servicing, thanks to a pledge from the Ontario government. Alma Arguello was speechless when she heard the announcement that the province is increasing funding for victims of abuse, as part of their It's Never Okay program. The executive director of Sexual Assault and Vio- lence Intervention Services (SEVIS) in Halton could barely contain her excite- ment when she heard the province is pledging up to $242 million for sexual as- sault survivors and their families. "This has been a long time coming," said Arguel- lo, who has been advocating for increased sexual assault services for years, sitting down with Premier Kath- leen Wynne and lobbying the Liberal government. "Gender-based violence is heinous, completely un- acceptable, and must be stopped," said Attorney General Yasir Naqvi. "But actions speak louder than words, and that's why it's so important we have an ac- tionable and comprehen- sive strategy in place." The Ontario govern- ment is promising a 35 per cent increase in funding for sexual assault centres like SEVIS Halton, as well as in- creased legal services for victims of abuse, including a legal clinic specifically tailored for the LGBTQ community though EGALE Canada. "We have been advocat- ing for this for a very long time," said Arguello, who since the rise of the #MeToo movement has seen over 70 per cent more calls to the centre. "Now survivors have a platform, and there's a safe- ty net associated with that," she said. "I can't keep up with it. I had to recruit new volunteers." Currently, the organiza- tion has an office in Oak- ville and operates satellite locations in Burlington, Milton Acton and George- town. "Acton and Georgetown need services," she said, ex- plaining that counsellors visit Georgetown twice a week and are in Acton once, however, with the volume of calls from Acton, coun- sellors hold sessions over the phone to meet the needs. "This type of service is really needed in the com- munity," said Arguello. Vic- tims she says, require the trauma-informed services that SEVIS provides in or- der to be a safe place for women, free of judgment or re-victimization. "There is just so much reach that a few dollars could provide," she said. The funding increase will assist SEVIS in expanding their north Halton pres- ence, she hopes. "For so many women, they have waited so long," said Arguello. "It feels like they're finally listening." NEWS SAVIS hopes to expand services for abuse victims Survivors of sexual abuse in Halton Hills could be getting desperately needed servicing, thanks to a pledge from the Ontario government. 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