Pictured top: The BASAC flag is presented in front of city hall in North Battleford. Pictured Bottom: The BASAC flag is presented in front of town hall in Battleford. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Supporting BASAC

Flags raised in Battlefords for Sexual Assault Awareness Week

May 17, 2021 | 3:35 PM

May 17 to 21 is Sexual Assault Awareness Week in Saskatchewan.

To help raise awareness locally, the City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford each raised a flag for the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC) at city and town halls, Monday.

Executive director with the BASAC, Amber Stewart said it’s been great to see the local communities support the cause again this year.

“We’re always thankful for the city and town declaring this important week for us,” she said. “It’s important because we use this week to really do some education and outreach on gender-based violence, and what we do at the Sexual Assault Centre, and hopefully help start a conversation in the community.”

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North Battleford Mayor, David Gillan, said the city is happy to be involved and show their support for the local sexual assault centre and the important services they provide for those in the community.

“The city is very supportive of this really important initiative,” Gillan said. “The Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre does excellent work, and we’re very proud to make this declaration today.”

In addition to the flags being raised, the week will also involve the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser, which will take place Thursday May 20. This will be the fifth year of Walk a Mile in the community, with last year’s turnout being the BASAC’s most well-attended yet.

“The community has always supported BASAC and we’re very grateful and thankful for it,” Stewart said. “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without it.”

This marked the first year Battleford has raised their own flag in front of town hall, in addition to the one displayed in front of the city hall in North Battleford. Stewart said the BASAC could not be more pleased with the continued support from across the bridge in Battleford as well.

“We serve people from Battleford, North Battleford and the surrounding area. so we had another flag made this year to also include the town in Sexual Assault Awareness Week as well,” she said. “We’re grateful to Mayor Leslie and the Town of Battleford for also declaring Sexual Assault Awareness Week and flying the flag for us this week.”

For more information on the services provided by the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre and their upcoming events, visit their website or find them on Facebook.

Pictured left to right at the flag raising in North Battleford: BASAC executive director, Amber Stewart; community outreach worker, Kayla Vany; office manager, Marla Degenstein; and Mayor of North Battleford, David Gillan. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Pictured left to right at the flag raising at the town hall in Battleford: community outreach worker, Kayla Vany; office manager, Marla Degenstein; executive director, Amber Stewart; Town of Battleford councillors, Judy Pruden and Shelley Boutin-Gervais. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1