West Island centre helps victims of sexual abuse

When Raji Sidhu saw an ad in a West Island newspaper for Calacs, a centre offering help to female victims of sexual assault, she contacted them right away.

Sidhu says she was sexually abused throughout her childhood, and she had no one to talk to.

"The support wasn't even there from [my] family, they didn't know how to support," says Sidhu. "It's not like they couldn't support, they just didn't know how."

Sidhu's case went to trial, and the man she accused of sexually abusing her was acquitted. That was 12years ago, and she says she's still dealing with the verdict, and everything she says she endured as a child.

"It's difficult when the trauma gets to you at times, there's triggers that come in," says Sidhu.

"Sexual trauma, especially childhood sexual abuse, it's something that kinda sticks around if you don't really take care of it."

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Calacs helps hundreds of teen girls and women in the West Island each yearwho have been victims of sexual abuse.

They are one of 28 centres in Montreal, but the only one in the West Island, and the only one that offers services in English. People often come from far if they need to access an English counsellor.

They have four full-time counsellors and two contractual workers, who do private sessions, group sessions and outreach in high schools throughout the West Island.

Teen girls aged 14to 17who call are seen immediately, but women have to wait months before getting an appointment.

The funding from West Island Community Shareshelps lessen the wait time, and allows representatives of thegroup to spend more time raising awareness about its activitiesin local high schools.

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"We like to believe in the West Islandthat we're very safe and that bad things don't actually happen. But it's a reality in the West Island just like anywhere else in the world," says Dana Flynn, a counsellor atthe centre.

Flynn says most of their clients are women who experienced some form of sexual abuse, either in their childhood, ormany years ago. She says the sooner someone reaches out for help, the easier it is for them to overcome the trauma.

Flynn saysgirls and women are often hesitant to speak to a stranger about something so personal. There's also the fear that no one will believe them.

"There is someone here that will believe them first of all, that is [here] to serve their best interests, and that is able to, and willing to help them become a better version of themselves, in regards to sexual abuse," she says.

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Many of the people who have used the centre for help, now work there as volunteers. Raji Sidhu has been working as a volunteer for the past few years. She says it's been very therapeutic.

"This has been a healing for me in a way, to give back for what Calacs has done for me," says Sidhu. "It's a way I can give back to them and say thank you. This is something that happens and it shouldn't define you."

If you'd like to contact Calacs in the West Island, go to their websiteor call (514) 684-2198.

• Donate here toCBC's2016 Sing-In charity: West Island Community Shares