End Sexual Violence NL says it is “extremely” difficult to keep up with the demand for their services.

Yesterday, the federal government announced $700,000 for crisis hotlines across the province, aimed at strengthening support services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Executive Director Sandra McKellar says in the last year they received 1,156 calls from people around the province that were specific to gender-based violence or sexual violence.

As well she says they receive out-of-province and out-of-country calls too from people who need support that have connections to NL.

McKellar says they’ve had a 33 per cent increase in the number of calls, and a 45 per cent overall increase in demand for their services.

She humanizes those numbers by reminding that each call is someone’s daughter, mother, cousin, or friend.