WHO WE ARE

In the late 1990’s, the staff and board at Sherwood Park’s Domestic Violence Organization, A Safe Place, started noting the alarming number of clients come to them with domestic violence as well as sexual violence issues. They knew they needed to branch out and hire someone to help specifically with sexual violence. In 1998, A Safe Talk was born. Originally housed inside the domestic violence shelter, it was one single counsellor trained to support individuals who had experienced sexual violence. Quickly, word spread around the community and people began seeking support from the therapist for their own experiences. Strathcona Sexual Assault Centre was created in September of 2000 in response to the need in the community. It wasn’t until early 2003 when it got its own location. In 2007, we changed our name to SAFFRON Sexual Assault Centre. In December 2017, we moved into our new location on Athabascan Avenue. We have 9 counselling rooms plus a large play room. We are bigger than ever and keep growing steadily! We have seen an ongoing need from members of our own community, rural areas, Edmonton, and outlying communities as well.