Recent stats show reports of sexual assaults have been increasing in Cochrane.
In the annual RCMP Mayor’s Report presented at a council meeting earlier this month, Sgt. Darleen White stated that the number of sexual assault reports in Cochrane had increased in 2015 compared to 2014, but the majority of cases were assaults that had happened in the past.
“We don’t really know why people are coming forward now, ” White said.
She said the stigma behind reporting sexual assaults might be fading or another possibility is the victims might be more comfortable talking about the crime as time passes.
“There is also a growing awareness that it is not the victim’s fault,” explained Jennifer Sachkiw, executive director for Victim Services Cochrane.
“A lot of people don’t come forward because they think it is their fault or they are ashamed or they want to forget, but they need to start the healing process.”
Victims of sexual assault crimes can confide to Victim Services Cochrane without filing a police report but White encourages victims to also tell the RCMP.
“Even if charges are not laid, we are now aware of the accused person and can try our best to ensure (the crime) does not happened to someone else,” White said.
“And once the victim opens up we can help with resources.”
Cochrane and Area Victim Services Society serves approximately 4,000 square kilometres including Cochrane, Morley, Bragg Creek, Redwood Meadows, Springbank, Bearspaw, Glendale, Bottrel and other surrounding areas.
In 2015 Cochrane Victim Services opened 501 new files and assisted 630 clients in relations to these cases.
Governed by a board of directors, with help from volunteers and the support of community partners, local municipalities, government agencies and individual community members – victim services offers crisis response, information, support, referrals, court support programs, and public education and crime prevention.
“Talking about the crime helps normalize it for people,” Sachkiw said.
“It is not ever ‘normal’ but victim services can provide support and help with the long-term healing.”
Victim services assists sexual assault victims and those affected by sudden death, domestic abuse, suicide, motor vehicle collisions, assault, harassment, break and enter, theft, and other crimes or traumas which have negatively impacted lives.
For more information go to cochranevictimservices.com.
