(Image Credit: Sanare Centre)

By Jesse Gill

Prevention and Healing

Medicine Hat’s Sanare Centre says conversations about sexual violence and healthy sexuality are essential

Feb 5, 2026 | 3:01 PM

There were several sexual violence cases reported by police that made headlines in southeastern Alberta in January.

Supporting individuals affected by sexual violence and child abuse across southeastern Alberta is the objective of the Sanare Centre, based in Medicine Hat.

Executive Director Christina Johnson said even with no evidence of an increase in sexual violence, it is important that survivors are coming forward and systems are responding.

“It is a good thing that… we’re talking about sexual violence and that people are reaching out for help, whether that be through the criminal justice system or through services like ours,” Johnson said.

“It is uncomfortable to talk about sexual violence, and it is uncomfortable to talk about sexual abuse. It’s something we need to do because it is so prevalent,” she added.

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“The more we talk about it, the more we have discussions openly, the more likely people are to report and to get help.”

She said discussions can help reduce the rate at which it happens.

Johnson was part of a 2020 Alberta prevalence study on sexual assault, which she said found nearly one in two girls — about 44 per cent — will experience sexual violence before the age of 18.

The study also found that about one in three boys will experience sexual violence as children.

Sexual violence has long been present in communities, according to Johnson, even if it hasn’t always been visible.

“It is occurring in our communities. Sanare Centre is here to help,” Johnson said.

While sexual violence is defined in the Criminal Code of Canada, Johnson said the issue can feel complex for the public, particularly around consent.

The Sanare Centre runs prevention programming for children and leadership-based programs for young men focused on social-emotional learning, communication and respect.

She adds that we need to talk early and often with our boys and our girls about healthy sexuality and consent.

One of the centre’s key services is helping survivors navigate their options after an assault, without pressure to choose a specific path.

“If someone comes here and they don’t know what to do, they can book an appointment, and we’ll help walk them through whether they want to report to the police, whether they are looking for therapy,” Johnson explained.

“What do they need to do now? What do they want to do now? And not based on our opinion, but based on what they want.”

“Then we can go from there and help them navigate the system as they choose their healing path.”

The Sanare Centre is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be contacted at 403-548-2717.

Johnson said the ultimate goal is a future where services like Sanare Centre are no longer needed.