you are not alone

SVNB is here to help connect you to services and resources.

who we are

Our Vision:

Communities free of sexual violence.

Our mission:

  • To support those impacted by sexual violence
  • To lead systemic and social changes required to end sexual violence

Our Anti-Oppression, Feminist-Based Framework:

  • SVNB supports victims of all genders, and recognizes that sexual violence is a form of gender based violence.
  • We recognize that sexual violence is a result of misogyny, patriarchy, and inequality.
  • We recognize that sexual violence can and does happen to anyone, and happens disproportionately to marginalized groups including cis and trans women, children, 2SLGBTQ+ people, people of colour, Indigenous women, immigrant women, sex trade workers, and others.
  • SVNB is trans* inclusive and is committed to maintaining safe spaces for all women.

our history

Fredericton Sexual Assault Centre began in the summer of 1975 from a Chimo Help Centre meeting. This meeting was called to deal with the concerns of local university and high school counsellors, the Fredericton Women’s Centre and other citizens to establish the need for a resource group that could respond to sexual violence.

In November of that year, a full-time director was hired on a grant to organize the service. In January 1976, the Rape Crisis Service was able to offer a 24-hour service. Volunteers offered support over the phone to survivors or other people concerned, as well as accompanying survivors to the hospital, police station or a friend’s home.

In 1979, the Rape Crisis Service separated from Chimo and opened an office at 384 Queen Street. The Fredericton Rape Crisis Centre, now an independent organization, became incorporated in February 1980.

To reflect changes in the Canadian Criminal Code, the Fredericton Rape Crisis Centre became the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre in April 1994. In 2005, the provincial action plan “A Better World for Women – Moving Forward 2005-2010” was announced with sexual assault awareness and service delivery across the Province as a central component of this action plan. SVNB, with its decades of experience, created its Provincial Strategy on Sexual Assault Services. With leadership from its Provincial Advisory Committee, the strategy uses a community based approach to bring together service providers and stakeholders throughout the province to enhance and establish community responses to sexual assault and sexual violence in New Brunswick.

In 2015, the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre became the Fredericton Sexual Assault Centre, with a new logo and website.  In 2019, SVNB became Sexual Violence New Brunswick, in recognition of our many years as leaders of preventing and responding to sexual violence in New Brunswick.