Prince Edward Island Rape and Sexual Assault Centre - Programs and Services

The PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre offers a variety of services related to sexual abuse and recovery. However it is important to remember that there are services we do not provide. This page specifies what direct services we offer, and describes some of the practices and principles of the PEIRSAC. For further inquiries, please contact us.

Individual and Group Therapy (see below for more information)
Support and Information Telephone Line (see below for more information)
Partnership and Consultation with other agencies and community groups
Public Education Sessions (see below for more information)
Advocacy and Networking (Representation on: Premier's Family Violence Prevention Action Committee, PEI Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee, Victim Services Advisory Committee)

PEIRSAC Does Not Provide the Following:

Services for Children
Services for Offenders
Couple/Family Counseling
Referrals to Doctors or Lawyers or Private Counselors/Therapists

For more information on any of these services please call our main office number (902) 566-1864.

THERAPY SERVICES

PEIRSAC Therapy Services are:

For Women, Men and Youth Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence
Free of Charge
Confidential and Non-Judgmental

REQUESTING THERAPY SERVICES

To make a request for therapy services, please call our therapy line at (902) 368-8055. Please leave a confidential voice mail message which includes: your name, number and whether we can leave a detailed message at that number and we will get back to you as soon as possible. When one of our therapists returns your call, she will ask you a series of questions to gain an appreciation of your situation. Recent assault victims will receive priority. If we do have a wait list at the time of your call you will be advised of this. A therapist will call you as soon as possible to set up your initial appointment.

STATEMENT OF FEMINIST THERAPY PRINCIPLES

The individual therapy relationship is an on-going contract between therapist and client. Our therapists will use different therapeutic techniques and interventions. However, their work with clients is based on a feminist therapy model.

Feminist therapy aims to be empowering and affirming of clients. As feminists, some principles that guide our work are based on the following assumptions:

That people are experts of their own lives, and that the relationship between therapist and client should not be as the "expert" who tells a client what to do but a process of discovery that helps a client discover their own wants and needs.
That there is a respect for the client's knowledge and an appreciation of the power differential between client and therapist.
That the client be empowered to assert themselves, to make their own choices, and to nurture themselves.
That negative attitudes and stereotypes of gender need to be rejected.
That people should be encouraged to deal with all emotions, including anger, and to consider all options in roles and behaviors.
That "forgiveness" of the abuser is not the only way to heal from abuse.
That the goals of therapy are mutually determined.
That the "problems" or symptoms that survivors experience should be seen as a normal response to abuse.

PUBLIC EDUCATION SESSIONS

We provide public education sessions on a wide range of topics including: personal safety, date rape, relationship violence, healthy relationships, boundaries and sexual relationships and the meaning of consent. Please call our main office number (902) 566-1864 for more information on this service.

Support and Information Line

For information during weekdays please contact our main office number, (902) 566-1864. To make a request or referral for therapy, please call (902) 368-8055.

After hours and on weekends you may call our support and information line at (902) 566-8999 or toll free at 1-800-289-5656. Our support and information line is staffed by trained volunteers with backup support from our staff. For more information on becoming a volunteer, please visit our volunteer opportunities page.

For men who have experienced sexual assault