#RallyWithRosie for the Sexual Assault Support Centre
Posted Apr 25, 2020 12:00:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASCWR) has launched its #RallyWithRosie fundraising campaign online, in lieu of their annual Bowl-a-Thon.
For the month of May, people are encouraged to donate and dress up as the famous World War II icon, Rosie the Riveter.
With public health measures in place, the COVID-19 pandemic has put the SASCWR in a difficult position. Unable to hold fundraisers in a physical space, they are putting their focus on the online campaign
Sara Casselman, Executive Director, SASCWR said it is a particularly good time to donate, as an anonymous benefactor is willing to match donations up to $30,000 in total.
“I was blown away. So happy, and especially right now at this juncture, with such waiting lists and with the pandemic, and violence against women increasing on top of that, it's such a welcome opportunity for us.”
With the #RallyWithRosie campaign, folks can set up fundraising pages to collect donations. Supporters are encouraged to dress up as Rosie the Riveter — an enduring symbol for the SASCWR — and share it to social media with the hashtag. The “Rosie” with the most donations will win a prize that will be announced at a later date. Other contests will be held throughout the month.
Meanwhile the centre is projecting a $100,000 fundraising shortfall, due to the pandemic. Even with the Federal funding promised to sexual assault centres early in the crisis, Casselman said they and every other centre in Canada received just $25,000.
“The need was great. We were already in crisis before the pandemic. So we were already desperately trying to increase our fundraising before, so now its needed so much more.”
She also expects demand for their services to increase as well. In times of large-scale crisis like natural disasters, wars — or in this case a pandemic — sexual violence increases, according to Casselman. Recent media reports show an increase in domestic violence during the pandemic as social distancing practices have survivors stuck with their abusers more often.
Casselman said their services were in high demand. In the post #MeToo era, more women have been reaching out to the centre for help, with the current wait list at the centre averaging 140 people at any moment
“Five years ago, if we had 40 survivors on our waiting list, we would have said we were in crisis.”
To register or donate to the #RallyWithRosie campaign, check out the SASCWR website for details.
