Calls to sexual assault crisis line have quadrupled, says director

The Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre, which provides support to people affected by sexual violence, is seeing a huge spike in calls to its 24-hour crisis line.

The phone line is open to both men and women who need someone to talk to regarding sexual violence. Calls are answered by more than 65 volunteers, who ensure confidentiality.

Nicole Kieley, the executive director of the centre, said on Monday that overall, calls have quadrupled.

The increase was especially noticeable in December, with volunteers fielding about 100 calls compared to just 22 during the same month three years ago.

Kieley said the high numbers don't necessarily mean more cases of sexual violence. She said the centre has been doing outreach, and the extra calls are related to that. 

"I don't think it's any more pervasive than three years ago — and that's not to minimize it — it's just more so that it's always been there but more people are reaching out," she told the St. John's Morning Show.

"If more people are calling the line, that means that the work and the understanding out there around sexual violence is turning — it's a good thing in some ways."

No typical call

Kieley said calls are handled through a call centre which then redirects callers to one of the volunteers. Someone is able to take a call 24 hours a day, even if they have to take the call from their own home.

We know that not all their problems will be solved with one call.- Nicole Kieley

Calls can range from 45 minutes to up to two hours.

While it was once normal for the centre to only get one call per day, now it frequently gets three or four, Kieley said.

She said there is no "typical call," and the centre's volunteers deal with a variety of issues related to sexual assault. She said the main thing they focus on is to let people know they are not alone and have options.

"We know that not all their problems will be solved with one call," she said.

"But we encourage folks to call, call back and we want them to get key messages like 'you're not alone,' and 'we believe you.' Non-judgemental support is so key to someone reaching out and going further into their own healing."

Costs also up

With call volumes quadrupling, so too are the phone bills, Kieley said. That's why she and other staff are looking to provincial partners for funding to keep up.

"No stone is really being unturned," she said. "We want to be in a place where it doesn't feel like we are treading water."

Money is also needed to cover the cost of paid staff, who oversee training, supervision, mentoring and administration.