Our History

CASASC has been providing a safe haven for those who have experienced sexual violence, whether the incident occurred recently or decades ago. A small group of concerned citizens recognized that there was an urgent need in the Central Alberta region for services to children, adults and families who have been traumatized by sexual violence. They put their heads together, formed a steering committee and applied for Secretary of State Funds to start a sexual assault centre in Red Deer. The original sexual assault centre came to being in 1983 with a $35,000 government grant, a card table, a couple of chairs and a phone.

The $35,000 was used to develop an intensive education and training program for volunteers to operate a sexual assault crisis line. On May 6, 1985, the crisis line started in conjunction with the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter. The lines, staffed by a pool of 15 volunteers, ran from 6 p.m. to midnight, 7 days a week, with the Shelter staff handling calls throughout the rest of the day. By September 1985, two VIP Projects were procured which provided funds of $50 a week for expenses and positions of Crisis Line Coordinator and Education Coordinator. In 1986 Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) began funding the Public Education Program and in January 1987, the United Way of Red Deer began funding the Sexual Assault Crisis Line project.

The first Executive Director, Dianne Howarth, was officially hired in May of 1989. Under her leadership the services offered began to expand into the community. By 1992, on a request from the RCMP, the Sexual Assault Centre began offering crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault and their families. This service included providing accompaniment of victims making reports to the police and accompaniment 24 hours a day to hospitals or clinics. Funding for this position came from Alberta Justice.

In 1995, a committee made up of several community agencies, requested that the Sexual Assault Crisis Line become a 24 Hour Generic Help/Distress Line. The David Thompson Health Region – Mental Health Services and the United Way of Central Alberta help fund this expanded line. In 2001, Red Deer FCSS provided a demonstration grant so that the Sexual Assault Centre could offer Psycho-Educational Groups for victims of sexual assault and their families.

In June of 2003 the Board of Directors made the decision to change the name of the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Centre to the Crisis Centre. School Wellness Workers, counsellors and clients asked for the change. The purpose of the change was to encourage young persons to access our services without feeling the negative stigma of “sexual assault.”

In February 2004 the Crisis Centre was the recipient of $30,000 from the local production of the Vagina Monologues. This generous donation fuelled the desire to find a more suitable location for the Crisis Centre and these funds were ear-marked for that purpose. In June of 2005 the Crisis Centre moved into the current premises donated by an anonymous donor. The Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise provided a $50,000 donation to furnish the new space (Our Boardroom has been named after the Rotary Club of Red Deer) while a donation of $125,000 from Alberta Lottery (Community Facility Enhancement Program Grant) provided dollars to construct the interior.

In October of 2005, the provincial government began funding sexual assault centres across Alberta. In 2006 the Crisis Centre hired a full time educator and, with the help of this funding, professional counseling services were able to expand. By 2007 the staff also included 1.5 FTE counselors and a part time children’s therapist.

Effective April 15, 2008, the Crisis Centre re-focused its 24 hour help line service to sexual assault, discontinuing the generic crisis line. Anyone experiencing an issue that has a sexual connotation was encouraged to call. This includes victims of recent and historic sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and criminal harassment, and child sex abuse.

In 2008 founding Executive Director Dianne Howarth retired, leaving behind a solid legacy committed to the provision of services and supports to Central Albertans dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault/sexual abuse.

By 2011 it became evident that the name “Crisis Centre” was no longer a good fit for an organization fully focused on providing education, support and counseling specifically to those affected by sexual violence. On April 3, 2012 the name was once again officially changed to the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC). This long name clearly denotes who we are, what we do and where we provide the services.

At the same time a new logo was introduced. The two ‘individuals’, arms raised to the sky represent, healing and wellness. The colour green symbolizes growth, stability and endurance and the blue, faith, trust, healing and understanding.

In May 2016 the Centre launched the 24 Hour Sexual Assault Text and Webchat Crisis Line, to accompany the long-established crisis phone line. This line was one of the first (and the very first in Alberta) sexual assault text lines in Canada. Operated by a dedicated team of volunteers, the texting and webchat crisis line offers those affected by sexual violence another highly accessible channel to receive affirmation, support, referrals and information. By the end of 2018, the text and webchat crisis line was receiving on average 30 contacts per month.

Our Mission, Vision + Beliefs

Our Mission

The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) is committed to ending sexual violence and helping to build safer communities through promoting awareness and healing, education, empowerment and renewal.

Our Vision

Central Alberta will be a safer, healthier and more informed community surrounding the issues of sexual assault and sexual abuse.

Our Goal

Individuals will be empowered to make informed choices about personal safety, sexual interactions and/or emotional distress.

Values + Guiding Principles

LEADERSHIP – We are the leaders in the cause against sexual violence.

RESPECT – We respect the diversity of people and are committed to providing support to all who are affected by sexual violence.

CARING – We show compassion and help those in need.

ACCOUNTABILITY – We are responsible for our decisions and actions on behalf of CASASC. We demonstrate due diligence in fulfilling our commitments to our clients, their families, and friends, volunteers, funders, and all others who provide support to those we serve.

COMMITMENT – We strive to make a positive difference in the lives of people affected by sexual violence. We share this commitment and encourage others to share in our vision.

COLLABORATION – We work openly and in a coordinated manner within our organization and with others.

Core Beliefs

In all we do, CASASC operates with these core beliefs.

We believe:

People can heal
We are facilitators of the healing process
In valuing diversity and respecting all people
Individuals should be free to make their own life choices
Each person should have the opportunity to learn and to grow
In creating a safe environment and maintaining confidentiality
Services must be accessible to children, adolescents, women and men
Inability to pay should not be a barrier to receiving service
In providing support and advocacy for people who have been affected by sexual violence
Public education and advocacy are vital for eliminating violence
Offenders must take responsibility for violence
Teamwork is essential
Volunteers are crucial to our agency and provide a link to communities
In working with other agencies to further common goals.