While Sexual assaults, at all levels of severity, are rising throughout the province, Saskatchewan remains the only province without a sexual assault strategy and the Sask. Party has left the Status of Women’s office without a director for months.
“The Sask. Party is ignoring the realties that many women in Saskatchewan are facing,” said Status of Women Critic Danielle Chartier. “It’s absolutely unacceptable that the Sask. Party hasn’t stood up for Saskatchewan women and taken the necessary steps to address sexual assaults.”
Statistics show that level 3 sexual assaults in Saskatchewan – the most severe – are the highest they have been in the last 15 years and the province has the country’s highest rate of level 3 sexual assaults per capita.
The statistics are even more alarming and tragic considering the Sask. Party's refusal to listen to implement a sexual assault strategy.
“The Sask. Party dismantled the Status of Women’s office. Now, they aren’t taking these horrifying rates of sexual assault seriously and have shown themselves to be uninterested in prevention," Chartier said. “The province needs a government that will stand up for the women, and take action to end this violence.”