In the News

February 9, 2026

Again this year, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (CSAC) is participating in RunWild, an annual running event to raise funds for child advocacy centres throughout Canada. RunWild is great family fun with options for 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and WildOnes 1.2K childrens’ fun runs. In Lethbridge, RunWild is held as a virtual event, allowing you and your family to register and participate in the location your choice. Taking part in RunWild will help support the good work of the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.

For the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, donors provide a lifeblood of resources to support the essential work that we do to support those that have been impacted by sexual violence. In this article, we want to showcase the contribution of long-time supporter Tammie Belanger Please click below to learn more about Tammie and why she supports our organization. Donor profile - Tammie Belanger.pdf Download

In recognition of International Day of Charity on September 5, we welcome two stalwart supporters of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre for a special panel discussion on charity. Our guests Amanda Engler and Michele Montgomery talk about the important work of charities, about their reasons for supporting charities, and why businesses and individuals should get involved. To watch click here

In this CTV Lethbridge story, Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO Kristine Cassie comments on a Lethbridge human tracking suspect which was rearrested after receiving bail. Click here to watch this story.

Congratulations to Corrie Hartley, who was recently featured in an article for the University of Calgary’s UCALGARYNEWS about her work bringing art, social work and advocacy together as a vehicle for change. The University of Calgary student helped to produce a stunning collaborative art project titled “We Stand" with her fellow U of C students. The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre was proud to have the work included as part of our Impact Unveiled: Beyond the Silence Art Show held at the Yates Theatre Gallery during Sexual Violence Awareness Month in May of 2025.

#WeBelieveSurvivors Today’s not guilty verdict for all five accused in the Hockey Canada players trial in London, Ontario, is a profound setback for all survivors of sexual assault. This outcome is not only devastating for the individual survivor in this case, but also reverberates across communities, undermining the courage it takes to come forward and driving home, once again, how the voices and lives of women and girls are too often discounted.

December 31, 2025

The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre has teamed up with Cuppers Coffee & Tea to offer a special coffee experience. Hopeful Harmony is a Cuppers’ freshly roasted Arabica medium/dark coffee with notes of brown sugar, plum and bakers chocolate. We invite you to indulge this warm and comforting coffee experience and show your support for our efforts to provide hope and support to those who have experienced sexual violence. A portion of the proceeds of each bag of Hopeful Harmony will be donated to the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre.

The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre spoke to local media recently about an increase in funding from the Government of Alberta for the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. Check out the local coverage by clicking the links below. Lethbridge Herald Global Lethbridge (story at 3:57)

Each year, the Chinook Sexual Assault welcomes a number of work experience students from local institutions. For the students, these placements provide an opportunity to gain some real life workplace experience and to see how what they have learned in the classroom can be put to use in practical applications. For us, these placements are a way to contribute to the development of the next generation of human services professionals.

The ability of art to communicate powerful messages is being harnessed this May by the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre to raise awareness of issues related to sexual violence. On May 5, the centre launched a unique art show at the Yates Theatre Gallery. This installation is designed to celebrate the strength and resilience of those impacted by sexual violence, while fostering important conversations about the subject. Impact Unveiled: Beyond the Silence is a show curated from contributions from local artists sharing messages of survival, strength, empowerment, and honouring the emotions tied to these experiences.

Local media spoke to the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (CSAC) about our Santa’s Centre Village Mall Celebration. The CSAC has teamed up with Centre Village Mall and photographer Mason Hill of Hill Media to host Santa’s Centre Village Celebration. The event which takes place Saturday, November 29 and Saturday, December 6 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm is all about creating a safe, welcoming space for families to connect, share joy, and make cherished holiday memories.

We are so excited to introduce our new Facility Dog Link to the community. Click the links below to watch some of the stories from our local media partners: MyLethbridgeNow CTV Lethbridge Lethbridge Herald Bridge City News Link II will work primarily at the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, a specialized program of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, as part of a team helping children, youth, and families deal with the traumatic effects of abuse.

An engaging Op-Ed by Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO Kristine Cassie commenting on the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime’s “Rethinking Justice” recent report. Click the link below to read: Why Specialized Police and Court Support Matters.pdf Download

Meet Link II, the new Accredited Facility Dog at the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CCYAC). In this episode of our podcast Voices in the Wind, we welcome Baylee Schmidt, Supervisor with the CCYAC and Link’s handler. Baylee will talk about the impact Link has made with the kids he works with and how he adds to the welcoming environment at the CCYAC. We’ll also speak to Meredith Areskoug, Communications Manager with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), the organization which provided Link II to our organization.

To mark the beginning of Sexual Violence Prevention Month in May. Heidi Echavarria from Bridge City News stopped by to chat with Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO, Kristine Cassie. To watch the full story click here

Catholic Central High School’s production of the iconic musical Mamma Mia! is hoping to connect with audiences and community. The production is donating $5.00 from each ticket sold for three special “sing-along” performances March 15, 19 and 22 to the Chinook Cild and Youth Advocacy Centre (CCYAC). Cheryl Patterson, Manager of the CCYAC, took part in a press conference to promote the production. Mamma Mia! runs from March 14 until March 22 with performances at 7:00 p.

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO, Kristine Cassie, was interviewed by My Lethbridge Now about why it is important that we continue to be involved in Pink Shirt Day.

Click here to read: https://www.mylethbridgenow.com/51633/news/community/no-better-time-than-now-to-promote-kindness-and-inclusivity/

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO, Kristine Cassie, comments on the disturbing case of on a reported sexual assault of a child at a public swimming pool in this story from Global Lethbridge.

Click here to watch https://globalnews.ca/news/11026422/lethbridge-child-sexual-assault-charges/

We are so proud of Anna Campmans and so appreciative of her volunteer work here at the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre. Check out this story on Global Lethbridge about her well deserved award from the YWCA.

Click here to watch: https://globalnews.ca/news/11026391/ywca-southern-alberta-women-of-distinction/

Every year, thousands of people across Canada are impacted by human trafficking. A new documentary titled, “Into the Light,” will be released soon. Into the Light will explore human trafficking in Indigenous communities in Alberta and includes an interview with our CEO Kristine Cassie. Native Counselling Services of Alberta is producing the film which is endeavouring to take human trafficking out of the dark and into the light of education, wellness, and healing.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/CPdO4z0Uw4I?si=9UBvoo6kO6i7PzHI

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO Kristine Cassie was a special guest on the CBC program Just Asking. The topic, “How to have difficult conversations about sexual assault” generated lots of important discussion. Click the link below to listen to the full episode or look for Just Asking on your favourite podcast app.

Click this link to listen: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-1424-just-asking/clip/16117499-how-difficult-conversations-sexual-assault