The PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Centre is a community based, grass-roots, feminist organization, with its initial conception dating back to September 1981 when four women met for lunch to discuss their concerns and distress surrounding the recent gang rape of a young Island girl. At the time, there was no rape crisis centre on PEI and the women wondered where this girl and others would find support to deal with assault, find justice, and work toward healing.

Over the next several months, these concerned women tried to find information on how often rape happened on PEI and if this gang rape was simply an unusual occurrence unlikely to happen again. They found out a number of things.

Firstly, there were no statistics on the subject. Secondly, the process of following an initial police report through to the final sentencing of rapists was a monumental, if not impossible task; and thirdly, people they did not even know were calling them, telling their stories of abuse and asking for help. The women discovered that the rape of young girls and women by acquaintances constituted the majority of reported cases. As in the rest of Canada, sexual abuse, molestation, and the rape of young children was widespread on PEI. The need for a rape crisis centre was overwhelming.

The initial group of four women included Lyle Brehaut, Dr. Betsey Epperly, Maureen Hutcheson, and Mary Cameron. They were soon joined by Maureen Malloy and Margaret Hurley. They travelled to crisis centres across Canada, gathering information and material. They took a crash course from the Fredericton Rape Crisis Centre, advertised for volunteers, screened the applicants, had their first 12 week training session, and in April of 1983, opened a 24 hour telephone crisis line staffed by volunteers. The volunteers have changed over the years, but the line has been consistently maintained.

In the same year, the PEI Rape & Sexual Crisis Centre became a formal organization when it became incorporated under the PEI Companies Act. The first annual meeting was held, and Nadine Smith was elected as the first president of the Board of Directors. Through funds provided by the Secretary of State Women's programs, a part-time coordinator was hired.

In 1985, the Centre was hired a part time therapist to provide specialized therapy for survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse. In 1986, the Centre began offering the first support groups for adult survivors. The therapist position became full time in 1990, as the demand for counselling increased and funding sources were secured.

In 1995, the Rape Crisis Centre was identified in the PEI Family Violence Prevention Strategy as needing increased resources to offer counselling to more survivors. Increased funding through the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention allowed the Centre to hire two part-time therapists to join the existing staff. This has now become two full time positions. In April 2006, additional funds were allocated to provide counselling in the West Prince area of PEI.

 

Mission

The Centre exists to work with others to ensure that PEI is safe from sexual assault and sexual abuse and to support survivors in their healing. Foundational philosophies include: