Ensuring Safety For All Who Access SACE Services During COVID-19

Updated June 29, 2022

Dear clients, volunteers, and community members,

SACE services during COVID-19 continue to evolve, informed by the needs of our community. The SACE physical office is open for limited in-person services, and we continue to offer digital services to people who have been impacted by sexual violence. We thank you for your patience and support as we have navigated the challenges that COVID-19 has presented since March 2020.

• Our main office line is in operation. You can still send an email to ac.ecasobfsctd@ofni and we will ensure that your correspondence is forwarded to the appropriate staff member, but you can also call our main line for enquiries. Please note, staff do not have regular access to voicemails at this time, so if you need to reach a staff member directly, it is still best to do this through email.
• Our team has created online education opportunities such as the Digital Workbook for CALM 20 classes, online psychoeducation courses, and a wide range of support resources in digital format. Follow our website and social media platforms for regular updates.
• We continue to offer digital support group options online. If you are interested in group counselling through SACE, please email ac.ecasobfsctd@ofni or call 780.423.4102.
• The clinical team is offering virtual counselling sessions to clients who have access to technology and feel this is a good fit for them.
• In-person counselling services are available for children, and for adults are also available.
• We continue to complete intake appointments for new clients who would like to access counselling. To book an intake appointment, please email ac.ecasobfsctd@ofni or call 780.423.4102.
• The public education team continues to offer virtual presentations. To learn more and to book a presentation with one of our educators, please email ac.ecasobfsctd@noitacude.
• The SACE Support and Information Line continues to operate from 9 am to 9 pm daily at 780.423.4121. You can also chat with one of our trained volunteers on our website or call or text Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence at 1.866.403.8000.
• For information about our current mask policy, email ac.ecasobfsctd@ofni or call 780.423.4102.

We’d like to express our sincerest gratitude to our community for your understanding, compassion, and support during this difficult time, and we look forward to the day when we can return to providing full in-person services. Your support helps ensure safety for all who access SACE services during COVID-19.

Other support options include:

Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre Crisis Line: call or text 1.866.956.1099 (24/7)

Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters Line (to connect to your local shelter): 1.866.331.3933 (24/7)

Distress Line: 780.482-4357 (24/7)

Mental Health Help Line: 1.877.303.2642 (24/7)

Family Violence Info Line: 780.310-1818 (24/7)

Kids Help Phone: 1.800.668.6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 (24/7)

Children’s Mental Health Crisis & Response Team: 780.427.4491 (visit their website for hours of operation)

Child Abuse Hotline (including reporting suspected child abuse): 1.800.387.KIDS (5437) (24/7)

LGBT Youthline: 1.800.268.9688 (2 – 7:30 pm MT Sunday-Friday)

Trans Lifeline: 1.877.330.6366 (24/7)

Indigenous Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1.855.242.3310 (24/7)

Islamic Family & Social Services Association Helpline: 780.900.2777 (10 am – 10 pm)

Nisa Homes (long-term shelters for Immigrant, Refugee and Muslim women): 1.888.456.8043

Information and referral to services: call 211 or visit ab.211.ca

SACE also has digital support resource packages for adults and for parents of children who are considering or on the waitlist to access counselling. Many of these resources can be helpful for more than just those who are accessing SACE services during COVID-19: they can benefit anyone who has experienced sexual violence or who is supporting someone through this.