I am a daughter;
A sister; 
A girlfriend; 
A friend;
An athlete;
A dog-mom;
An advocate;

But, I am also a survivor of sexual assault.

I use the word survivor because I am not and will not be a victim of what someone chose to do to me.

I have struggled to get to where I am today. I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, depression. I fell a semester behind at university. I lost who I thought were some of my best friends. I was re-traumatized by ignorance, bias and incompetence. I now understand why less than 5% of victims report. I wouldn’t wish this experience on my worst enemy. 

Despite it all; I survived. 

I share my story; to advocate and hopefully make it better for those that will, sadly, come after me. In 2018 Sexual Assault was the only violent crime that increased in Canada; up 15%. A stunning statistic when Statistics Canada also reports that less than 5% of sexual assault victims report to police.

Sexual assault will not define me. However, this journey has made me stronger, more resilient, and fearless beyond measure. I have grown confident to ask the hard questions and to question gaps in the system. I did not get to where I am today alone. I had unconditional, endless support from my family, friends, boyfriend, advocacy professionals, and peers. The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC) has been a key part of this support system.

Over half of VSAC’s funding comes from community support.  Meaning the remainder falls to government grants and contracts. Much of this funding is variable and dramatically can enhance or limit programs for survivors. For example in 2002 BC Government funding was cut forcing VSAC to close its crisis line. 

Because I know first-hand how important and essential to healing VSAC is, on June 21st, 2020 I am participating in the Triathlon of Compassion  (https://www.triofcompassion.com/ ) in Victoria, BC, Canada. I will be racing for myself and all survivors that have come before me and those that will sadly come after. I am racing to raise money so that trained support is available for all survivors of sexual assault – something only available through VSAC.

The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre is the ONLY organization in BC that has a medical clinic attached to all the other advocacy, counseling and other empowering supports they provide for all women and Trans and gender non binary survivors. While an essential service, our government has not returned the funding that was cut almost two decades ago and has not increased funding they do provide to even keep up with inflation let alone the increased demand. This is the final reason I am racing. I want to raise money for VSAC as a thank you for being there when I needed them and for supporting me when I needed it at what for me and my family was a very dark time.

Any donation will make an impact.  Please consider donating or sharing this page.

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this important service that is so near and dear to my heart.

                xoxo Sarah Hagkull