'For a good cause': Triathlon raising funds for Victoria Sexual Assault Centre
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC) has seen an increase in women, trans and gender-diverse survivors seeking support after experiencing sexualized violence.
VSAC is here to help at no cost to clients, but now it’s looking for a little help as well.
"It’s going to be hard," said Diana Leigh, who is a reluctant bike rider.
Up until recently, it had been years since Leigh had hopped on her bike.
"But it's for a good cause," she said.
Leigh is preparing to complete the bike portion of the 30th annual Triathlon of Compassion, which benefits VSAC.
Leigh has knocked the dust off her trusty steed to ride 20 kilometres in this year's event.
"Biking 20-kilometres may be challenging, but what’s more difficult is experiencing sexualized violence," said the triathlon participant.
Diana Leigh is pictured traying for the triathlon. (CTV News)Carissa Ropponen, VSAC resource development and communications manager, says demand at the resource centre has increased over the past few years.
It's important work provided free of charge to survivors of sexualized violence.
"We see hundreds of clients every year and provide thousands of counselling sessions," said Ropponen.
"We provide counselling, we provide support through the criminal justice system, in reporting to police," she said.
The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre also offers immediate crisis response.
"Within days of a sexual assault we can provide medical care, forensic evidence collection and emotional support here at our centre," said Ropponen.
FUNDRAISING EVENT
VSAC has an annual operating budget of $2 million. Half of the centre's money comes from grants or fundraisers like the triathlon, and Leigh is passionate to pedal to help out.
"We are trying to raise $25,000 for survivor support services," said Ropponen.
That would fund 130 counselling sessions, 10 prevention workshops, and the operation of the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic for two weeks.
A counselling room at the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre is shown. (CTV News)Leigh knows the positive impact the centre has on those who have been impacted by sexualized violence.
"Because I work here," she said.
Hearing the stories has prompted her to get back on her bike and participate in her first ever triathlon.
"The mission and the values are healing, education and prevention," said Leigh. "That is what I’m racing and riding for, that is what is going to keep me going."
The Triathlon of Compassion takes place on June 25. To find out more information or how you can support the riders go to the Victoria Sexual Assault Centres website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.