Sexual assault survivors and allies meet for annual luncheon

More than one hundred sexual assault survivors and supporters attended the 14th annual Luncheon en Vogue Fashion Show Friday afternoon in Saskatoon.

Members of the Saskatoon Police Service walked the runway in the event that raises money for the Saskatoon Sexual Assault and Information Centre.

Communications advisor Megan Evans said the event helps them to fund services.

“Free counseling, group and individual for survivors of sexual violence, as well as their family’s and loved ones,” Evans said. “If you’re secondarily impacted by sexual assault then we are here to counsel and support you as well.”

Although the police force helped with the fundraiser, Evans said the way police handle sexual assault cases needs to change.

She suggested giving survivors more space and using different tools to support them during the process of reporting to police.

The number and volume of those changes can sometimes seem overwhelming noted Evans, but she noted that there is work being done.

“We’re really happy to be hearing some rumbling of changes in dialogue and policies coming from different organizations.”

Evans is hopeful change can be implemented soon.