Mary Jane helped shape SACE into the organization it is today: strengthening programs, expanding its reach and ensuring survivors across the Capital Region were met with dignity, compassion and support. Under her leadership, Public Education programs like WiseGuyz grew into sought-after school initiatives, helping grade 9 boys learn about healthy relationships and preventing gender-based violence. She also championed critical survivor supports, including the Support and Information Line and Police and Court Support Program.

Her impact extended beyond SACE. Mary Jane recently received an honorary doctorate from Concordia University in recognition of her leadership and contributions.

As she prepared for retirement, SACE created the Mary Jane James Legacy Fund in her honour. Hosted by the Edmonton Community Foundation, the fund had already reached $22,000 when it was presented to Mary Jane in December 2025 — a lasting tribute to the work she cared so deeply about.

A gift that lives on

The Mary Jane James Legacy Fund supports the mission of SACE long into the future. Gifts are invested, with earnings providing sustainable funding for survivor support and prevention programs.

Donors can contribute in several ways, including:

• Gifts of publicly traded stocks and securities
• Estate and planned gifts
• Donations in honour or memory of someone special

Supporting survivors today and into the future

Mary Jane’s legacy is one of courage, compassion and commitment. Through the legacy fund and ongoing support, that work will continue — helping survivors find safety, healing and hope.

We invite you to be part of that legacy. Donate now.

The post Mary Jane James Legacy Fund appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

Mary Jane has been a trailblazer on the issue of sexual violence for nearly two decades. She began her journey with SACE as a volunteer in 2007, quickly becoming indispensable before ultimately stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer.

Throughout her tenure, Mary Jane has led with courage, tenacity, and an unwavering commitment to survivors of sexual violence. Her visionary approach has strengthened the organization’s profile, expanded education on sexual violence, and increased access to support across our community. She has consistently taken bold steps to move us all closer to eliminating sexual violence.

Mary Jane’s legacy is reflected in numerous innovative initiatives that continue to shape SACE and the broader sector. These include the creation of the SACE Police and Court Support Program; bringing WiseGuyz under the SACE umbrella; partnering on Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence; and collaborating with the Edmonton Police Service on the Sexual Violence Advocacy Case (SVAC) reviews. In 2022, Mary Jane was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta) in recognition of her outstanding contributions and dedication to our community.

Mary Jane’s decision to retire marks the end of an extraordinary chapter. She will be deeply missed by the entire SACE team and by the many local, provincial, and national partners with whom she has built meaningful relationships over the past 18 years.

As SACE concludes its 50th anniversary year in 2025 as a full-service agency serving thousands each year, the Board of Directors and staff extend heartfelt gratitude to Mary Jane for the leadership that brought us to this milestone.

The post Farewell to Mary Jane James appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

The grant will enable SACE to print vital education and awareness resources about our programs and services, which will be distributed to schools, community groups, and other local organizations.

Established to support initiatives that strengthen and enrich local communities, ECECAF has a long history of charitable giving in the Edmonton region.

With the support of this grant, SACE will be able to:

• Produce printed materials (brochures, posters, information cards) that outline our services and how to access them.
• Ensure these resources are available in schools, community centres, and outreach settings across the Edmonton area.
• Increase awareness among the public and particularly youth, educators, and community leaders about the importance of consent, support after sexual assault, and available help.
• Strengthen collaboration with community groups by equipping them with tangible tools to share information seamlessly.

“It might seem like a small thing, but we get many requests for hard copy materials, and it adds up,” says Lena Betker, Director of Community Engagement at SACE. “By covering some of the cost to replenish our inventory, ECECAF will make a real difference in how we communicate with and support our community — especially those who may not yet know about our services.”

The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton remains committed to providing trauma-informed, accessible services and to raising awareness about sexual violence, prevention, and healing. This grant helps ensure our message reaches further and our resources are more widely available.

The post SACE receives $10,000 grant from Edmonton Civic Employees Charitable Assistance Fund appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

Completing a master’s degree practicum with the clinical team at SACE offers an opportunity to learn while supporting diverse clients impacted by sexual violence. Practicum placements focus on developing clinical skills in supporting adults or children and youth, alongside the co-facilitation of process-based and psychoeducational groups. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to participate in case consultations, modality-specific consultations, individual supervision, group supervision, and professional development as a part of the SACE clinical team.

The practicum program at SACE works to support students in developing a trauma-centred, ethical practice, rooted within a feminist framework. The impacts of sexual violence are far-reaching and unique to each person. Within the counselling program at SACE, we support clients in healing while navigating the complex intersections of identity, experience, and sexual violence.

Practicum students will be supported to engage in this work through individualized supervision, which includes case conceptualization, implementation of the Canadian Psychological Association’s ethical decision-making model and supervisor review, and debrief of live and/or video-recorded sessions (contingent upon client consent). Awareness of, or openness to, learning about sexual violence, its impacts, and intersections, is an asset to those applying for practicum positions.

The post The SACE Practicum Program is on pause appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

While process groups remain on hold for now, clients who are interested in group counselling are also welcome to call to be added to the group’s waitlist. SOLACE (Space of Learning and Cultural Equity), Skills for Change, and Wîwîp’son Healing from Sexual Trauma Circle for Indigenous Women are still running at this time. Please continue to follow our social media for updates about our process groups.

The post Re-opening intakes for SACE clinical services appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

This verdict, while disheartening, is sadly not unexpected. Throughout the trial, we witnessed a deeply flawed process: jurors removed due to their concerns about aggressive defence tactics, blatant victim-blaming, and a steady reliance on rape myths that have long been discredited. EM spent nine exhausting days on the stand, subjected to repeated cross-examination by five defence teams. 

Only a very small percentage of sexual assault survivors ever turn to the legal system, and it’s easy to understand why. This case began with a police investigation in 2018 that was prematurely closed, included the use of EM’s civil suit against her in court, and ended in a trial that more closely resembled a spectacle than a pursuit of justice. These are not isolated failures; they are part of a larger pattern showing that our institutions are not equipped to respond meaningfully or compassionately to sexual assault. 

While there has been progress toward trauma-informed legal practices, recent decisions – such as R. v. Hoggard (2024) – have actively rolled back those gains. In this case, that meant the Crown could not bring in expert testimony on trauma, leaving the court without the necessary context to understand EM’s responses. In the absence of that expert insight, the Defence exploited stereotypes, casting EM as unreliable based on behaviour that is, in fact, common among trauma survivors. The judge’s conclusion – that EM lacked credibility – reflects a profound misunderstanding of how trauma manifests.  

The Hoggard ruling argued that trauma responses can be adequately addressed through judicial instruction alone. This trial has shown how dangerous that assumption is. Without expert input, the court was left to interpret trauma through a narrow, outdated lens – one that ultimately allowed harmful narratives to take root and flourish. 

This case illustrates what survivors are up against: a system where the accused may remain silent and be presumed innocent, while complainants are dissected, doubted, and demeaned at every turn. Rape myths continue to interfere with the ability to assess evidence fairly. Survivors are judged not on the facts, but on how well their behaviour aligns with preconceived ideas of how a “real” victim should act. There can be no justice when credibility is denied simply because trauma does not look how the court expects it to.  

Though this verdict marks the end of the trial, it does not close the chapter on EM’s story – or on the countless others who remain silent, watching. EM now deserves privacy, and the space to heal. But we must do more than wait for the next case. We must change the conditions that make the legal system itself a source of harm. 

That change must begin in hockey, and in sport culture more broadly – but it cannot stop there. It must extend to every part of our society. We need systems that centre care, honour survivors’ truths, and dismantle the environments that devalue, ignore, and blame them. We need a culture that shows up for survivors not just when the news cycle demands it, but every single day.  

If you are struggling with the news of the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial verdict, please reach out to the SACE Support & Info Line at 780.423.4121, or call or text Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence at 1.866.403.8000. 

The post SACE statement on the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial verdict  appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

Effective March 8, 2025: The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) has temporarily paused intakes for several clinical services. This difficult decision comes as a result of significant and unexpected funding cuts from the Government of Alberta.

Affected services

SACE has temporarily paused all intakes for the following services:

• Adult counselling
• Child and youth counselling
• Core therapeutic groups, including:
  • Adult Survivors Healing from Abuse (ASHA)
  • Men’s Group
  • Sexual Assault Survivors Support (SASS)
  • Sitting in Solidarity
  • refleQT
  • Who I Am Now: Trauma & Healing in Adolescence

Skills for Change, SOLACE (Space Of Learning And Cultural Equity) and Wîwîp’son Healing from Sexual Trauma Circle for Indigenous Women will continue to operate at this time.

For current SACE clients

If you are a current client, on the waitlist for services, or have an intake already booked, your services will continue as scheduled.

Support options

We understand this news may be difficult for our community. If you are in crisis or need someone to talk to, please know you are not alone. We have listed some support options for you to consider during this time.

• For mental health referrals: Contact your family doctor or call Access 24/7 at 780.424.2424
• For general resources: Call 211 or the SACE Support and Information Line at 780.423.4121
• For mental health emergencies: Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room

If you have concerns about the closure of our waitlist as related to our funding circumstances, we encourage you to contact your local MLA.

We are deeply disheartened by this situation and appreciate your understanding during this challenging time. Please follow us on social media for further updates in the coming weeks.

The post Temporary pause of SACE clinical services appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

Our 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report features highlights of how we’re making a difference, from professional, evidence-informed education and support to community development and engagement initiatives and offers a snapshot of what we do, from our range of programs and services to outreach and community collaborations.

As we reflect on the past year, we’re filled with gratitude for our volunteers, donors, and community partners who have made our work possible. Your generosity and commitment have empowered us to make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

Read the SACE 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report.

We want to hear from you!

If you have feedback or questions about anything you read about in the SACE 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report, or in general, please reach out to us at info@sace.ca.

The post Read the SACE 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

If you are in crisis or need someone to talk to, please know you are not alone. We have listed some support options for you to consider over the holidays.

Information and Crisis Support Lines

SACE Support and Information Line: 780.423.4121 or chat (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT daily)

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence: call or text 1.866.403.8000 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT daily)

Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre Crisis Line: call or text 1.866.956.1099 (24/7)

Canada Suicide Prevention Service (Talk Suicide Canada): call 1.833.456.4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (4 p.m. to midnight ET)

Child Abuse Hotline (including reporting suspected child abuse): 1.800.387.KIDS (5437) (24/7)

Children’s Mental Health Crisis & Response Team: 780.427.4491 (visit the Children’s Mental Health Crisis & Response Team website for hours of operation)

Distress Line: 780.482.4357 (24/7)

Family Violence Info Line: 780.310.1818 (24/7)

Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1.800.721.0066 (24/7)

Indigenous Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1.855.242.3310 or online chat (24/7)

Kids Help Phone: 1.800.668.6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 (24/7)

• To talk to an Indigenous person, text FIRST NATIONS, METIS or INUIT to 686868 for youth and 741741 for adults.

LGBT Youthline: Text 647.694.4275 and chat (Sunday to Friday, 4 – 9:30 pm EST)

Access 24/7 Adult Mental Health Services: 780.424.2424
Walk-in: Edmonton Community Health Hub North at 13211 Fort Road NW

Mental Health Help Line (Alberta-wide): 1.877.303.2642 (24/7)

MMIWG Crisis Line: 1.844.413.664

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 9.8.8 (24/7 call or text)

Talk4Healing: 1.855.554.4325 or online chat talk4healing.com (24/7)

Trans Lifeline (Canada): 1.877.330.6366 (Starting Jan. 1, 2024, the hotline will resume taking calls with new operating hours. Visit translifeline.org for the latest updates)

Crisis, Low and No Fee Counselling

Information and referral to services: call 211 or visit ab.211.ca

Access Open Minds: 780.887.9781. Walk-in addictions and mental health support for youth 16 to 25 years old; visit the Access Open Minds website for hours of operation

Drop-in YEG: Drop-in no-fee single-session counselling at multiple locations across Edmonton; visit the Drop-in YEG website for locations and hours of operation

Community Counselling Centre: 780.482.3711. Offers sliding scale counselling.

Momentum Walk-In Counselling: 780.757.0900. Offers single-session individual counselling services on a sliding scale from $40 to $200 based on your total monthly household income.

The post SACE Winter Office Closure 2023 appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

In this year’s report, we take you on a journey through our accomplishments and milestones, highlighting the lives our agency has touched and the positive impact we have brought to the community. From the feedback of individuals we have engaged with to our Moving to the Centre campaign, every page of this report showcases our dedication to our mission.

As we reflect on the past year, we’re filled with gratitude for our volunteers, donors, and community partners who have made our work possible. Your generosity and commitment have empowered us to make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

Read the SACE 2022-2023 annual report.

We want to hear from you!

If you have feedback or questions about anything you read about in the SACE 2022-2023 Annual Report, or in general, reach out to us at info@sace.ca.

The post The SACE 2022-2023 Annual Report is now live appeared first on Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.