The AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC), which was established in 2002, turned 20 years old this month.
The SASC, located in room 3150 on the third floor of the Nest, specializes in providing support and advocacy services for survivors of sexual assault and their families.
During the AMS elections this past March, students approved a fee increase for the SASC from $9.58 to $16 via a referendum. Aashna Josh, the manager at the SASC, intends to commemorate their 20th anniversary by utilizing the SASC's increased resources.
The SASC intends to hold campaigns, events and celebrations throughout the year to create a larger presence on campus, as well as internal celebrations such as appreciating its staff and volunteers, and remembering the SASC's journey and history.
Twenty years ago, the SASC was a service that was not a part of UBC or funded by student fees. It was a small side project started by Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW), a Vancouver-based sexual assault support centre.
"[SASC] started off with having just a couple of people from WAVAW being present on campus a few days a week, just to kind of provide support and services to students on campus," said Josh.
In 2003, the AMS started providing funding to the SASC after provincial budget cuts forced WAVAW to withdraw most of its financial support.
Over time, the SASC accumulated more funding and support staff.
"I want to say in the last six years we added a manager position, and increased how many support workers we've had. We've gone from three, to four, and now this year we hope to have five."
SASC's services also added texting and video appointment options amidst COVID-19 restrictions and plan to expand its education team.
"We will also be … going from a coordinator and two part-time educators to three. This year we're hoping to add on a full-time educator position as well," said Josh.
But despite the SASC's growth within its 20 years of service, Josh believes that there is still room for more improvement, especially concerning the SASC's funding structure.
"I think right now, with a fee increase, which is great, it would keep us going for a few years, but I think a needs-based growth model for our funding would be great."
Josh believes that adding a more stable funding structure for the SASC, such as acquiring UBC or government grants, could help make the SASC more flexible to the needs of students or other users of their service.
"Something stable or consistent would be something we would really like to see just so we can grow … and be more flexible to needs and what we have to offer."