1974

The first Rape Crisis Centre in Ontario is established in Toronto.

1975

The Secretary of State contacts women in centres and offers to fund a meeting for them to get together.

1976

Meetings were held in  Kitchener, Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton to exchange information and discuss areas of mutual concern.

1977

In July, the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres was established.

1978

Member centres now include Guelph, Windsor, Waterloo, Hamilton, Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Kingston, Cornwall, London and Sault Ste. Marie.

1979

The Coalition is consulted by the Provincial Secretariat for Justice Consultation on Rape. Women from the Coalition participated in the work of several subcommittees of the Consultation, including the writing of a victim-oriented
handbook for people coming into contact with victims of rape and sexual assault.

The Secretary of State grants $3,600.00 for Coalition work.

The Coalition provides input into the formation of the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres and becomes a member.

The Coalition develops a constitution and outlines the common understanding and the reasons for our work. Women believe the present structure is most conducive to a cooperative effort for accomplishing our goals and objectives.

1980

On May 13, the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres becomes incorporated with charitable status in order to meet requirements for core funding by the provincial government.  The following centres are accepted as members: Algoma District Sexual Assault Centre, Centre des femmes (Cornwall)
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, Hamilton Rape Crisis Centre, Kenora Women's Crisis Intervention Centre, Kingston Rape Crisis Centre, Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre, Peterborough Rape Relief, Scugog and District Sexual Abuse (Rape) Crisis Centre, Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex
County (Windsor), Thunder Bay Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, Timmins Rape Crisis Centre and Toronto Rape Crisis Centre.

The O.C.R.C.C. was accepted as a member of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) in February.

Women from member centres attended the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres (C.A.S.A.C) conference in Winnipeg in May.

In reaction to increasing violence against women, warnings for women to stay off streets and not walk without male protection after dark were issued.  In response to this women began to organize Take Back The Night marches.  The first such
marches were held in August in the United States, France, Belgium, Mexico, and Canada.  In Ontario, T.B.N. marches were held in Toronto, Oshawa, Port Perry, Ottawa and Windsor.

The O.C.R.C.C. has been working to change the sexual assault laws in the Criminal Code by carefully reviewing Bill C-53.

The Coalition's Law Reform Committee is instrumental in developing the forensic evidence kit used as evidence in cases of rape.

The Coalition negotiates a service contract of $185,000.00 from the Secretary of Justice of Ontario, with another $150,000.00 per year for the following two years.  Once funding was established the coalition struck committees, such as Policy, Research, Outreach and Fundraising.  It expanded its work as an
advisory and consulting body to government and to other provincial organizations.

The Coalition hires a full time employee, Holly Cole of Guelph to be provincial office coordinator.

1981

The first Annual Report is presented.

Rape Crisis Centres' funding is managed through the O.C.R.C.C. and all new centres must wait one full year from the date of acceptance as a member before they are eligible for this funding.

Women attended on behalf of the Coalition a national convention of the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres (CASAC) in Ottawa on June 18-23 where national policies were developed and information was exchanged. CASAC conventions in Winnipeg and in Fredericton were also attended.

1982

Lobbying efforts are intensified to get more funding so as to keep up with the increasing numbers of women seeking services.

Due to profound efforts by many Coalition volunteers, Bill C-127 is passed in recognition of the severity of sexual assault and treatment of victims.

1983

The O.C.R.C.C. endorses the Lesbian Day of Action, March 27, which had been declared at the 1981 National Lesbian Conference in Vancouver, Ontario Rape Crisis Centres will be organizing actions ranging from taking part in Lesbian Pride Marches to educational workshops and donations to the Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund.

A grant in the amount of $200,000.00 is provided by the Provincial Secretariat for Justice to the O.C.R.C.C. for the fiscal year of 1983-84 the Coalition distributes these funds throughout the year to the member centres according to the budget submitted in their grant proposals.  An agreement is also given to a similar
grant in the same amount for the years of 1984-86.

The Coalition, as a member of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) attended its first NAC convention in Ottawa, and subsequently has attended NAC conferences on an annual basis to present resolutions on
issues of violence against women.

Rape Shield Law, Bill C-127 "to amend the Criminal Code in relation to sexual offences, stipulating a women's past sexual history is not relevant" was passed.

1984

The Trillium Foundation granted the O.C.R.C.C. $129,500.00

A province-wide picket of video shops is held on April 9 to protest the sale and rental of "pornographic" videos.  In February at an O.C.R.C.C. meeting in Oshawa, the members staged an anti-pornography protest demonstration at  Whitby Audio.

1985

Committees on the O.C.R.C.C. now include: Finance Committee; Trillium Committee; Outreach Committee; Newsletter Committee and the Sexual Assault treatment Centres Ad Hoc Committee.

The Coalition has a newsletter "Mirrors".

Over a one year period, volunteers in rape crisis centres log over 6,500 counselling hours, travel almost 10,000 miles, respond to 3,500 information calls and reach an audience of over 25,000 people.

1986

In the area of sexual assault, more women are fighting back, and are consequently getting charged with assault and this is a pertinent issue for the O.C.R.C.C.

1987

C.A.S.A.C. holds a conference in Toronto and O.C.R.C.C. members participated in the planning and other aspects of the conference.

The Ontario Women's Directorate requests that the Coalition be part of an advisory body for a province-wide media campaign addressing the issue of sexual assault.

1988

O.C.R.C.C. members implement a complex organizational evaluation.

On March 14, 1988 there was an article and photo in the Toronto Star about the mock trial, staged by the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre and the Coalition, in regards to a judge whose process was unfair in consideration to rape cases.

"Whack" the Sexual Assault complainant at preliminary inquiry gets published in Lawyers Weekly.  In response to Rape Shield law defense lawyers in sexual assault cases are using subpoenas to try to introduce any information on women that could affect her testimony.

1989

Ottawa SASC starts an outreach project for hearing-impaired women.  Self help groups are now becoming a part of the way most centres work.  Oshawa begins to work with child survivors.

1990

Annualized funding for five years was allocated to twenty Sexual Assault Crisis Centres by the Ontario Government through Sexual Assault Initiative.

A lobby liaison committee is struck to work with Ministry of the Solicitor General to determine how this funding will impact on centres.

$400,000.00 is designated to 9 centres to establish Francophone services.

New funding causes problems in a small northern community (Timmins) and the Coalition is called in to support and assist with restructuring.

1991

Timmins is again a viable centre with a new structure and new staff in place it officially re-opens its doors in March/92.

The Coalition plays a key role in reestablishing services to the Timmins area working closely with the Ministry of The Solicitor General Office.

1992

Under the guidance of facilitators Sandra Butler (author or Conspiracy of Silence; The Trauma of Incest; Feminist Group work and Cancer in Two Voices) and Ellen Kashak (author of Engendered Lives) and Sarah Sharrett of California, a
retreat is held in Niagara-on-the-Lake to begin a process of organizational review and self-reflection, funded by the Ministry of Solicitor Generals Office.

Organizational Review/Anti-recession project grants are made available to all rape crisis and sexual assault centres in Ontario including the OCRCC.  The Coalition hires an organizational review consultant.

1993

In March a Re-Structuring Committee is proposed to re-examine all Coalition structures, seeking a more diverse representation of women in the Coalition. This committee is equally comprised of Black women/women of Colour and White women.

A crisis line with an 800 number is opened in Guelph for Grandview survivors. Funds were made available through the Attorney Generals Office from a compensation package awarded to women who were sexually abused while detained in the Grandview training school for young girls.

A newsletter is produced called Centre Line.

New anti -stalking law is passed by the Federal Government.

1994

Restructuring of Provincial Office takes place and the new office is opened in Toronto. The official Open house is held on Sept.30th.

The Coalition moves from direct Government funding to a membership base.

1995

Member Centre's are being threatened with fines for refusing to turn over confidential files on women.

O.C.R.C.C. participates in televised debates related to our refusal to turn over files in court proceedings.

Coalition changes Board structure, closes head office in Toronto, individual centres take on Coalition business administration.  The Coalition will organize a work related workshop based on the needs of member centres at each general
meeting (4 times a year).

1996

McGuire Report diminishing the work of shelters and RCC's is held back by a strong feminist network denouncing its credibility and the author’s agenda. O.C.R.C.C. assists in lobby efforts.

Coalition receives grant from Ministry Solicitor General to put all centres on line and assist with purchase of modems.

1997

The Coalition celebrates 20 years of work at its Annual General Meeting in Toronto.

Supreme court rules to toss out gross indecency charges because notes of an interview with the complainant were shredded by the Windsor Sexual Assault Centre.

1998

Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Centres are being fund annually.

Annual General meeting held in Sudbury.

CASAC is revitalized with funding for a (making the links - project).

Barrie Centre shut down and funds transferred to Rosewood.

1999

O.C.R.C.C. participates in Women Our Vote Counts campaign.

Annual General meeting held in Timmins.

All centres are on line and Coalition has new web site.

2000

O.C.R.C.C participates in the Cross-Sectoral Violence Against Women Strategy Group a network of organizations working to address the issues violence against women and children.

2001

O.C.R.C.C supports the attendance of one member to attend the Anti- Racism Conference, South Africa.

Sexual Harassment workshop presented on behalf of the Coalition at the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centre.

Women’s Resistance: From Victimization to Criminalization Conference attendance was supported by a grant from Trillium Foundation.

O.C.R.C.C participation at the National Action Committee on the Status of Women Annual General Meeting.

Annual General meeting held in Grey-Bruce, Durham

2002

The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres celebrated its 25th anniversary as a provincial organization.

O.C.R.C.C  completes it Strategic Plan for the next five years(2003-2008). The goals are:

• Be a strong and credible voice on issues of sexual violence in all aspects of public discussion, policy and decision making.
• Achieve financial and operational stability as well as expanded and innovative programming within Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Centres across Ontario.
• Develop an integrated understanding of how gender based inequalities are inextricably linked to anti-oppression and broader concerns for social justice.
• Achieve a transformation in the diversity of representation of women from multiply-marginalized groups among OCRCC delegates, leadership and staff.
• Have a stronger links and relationships with Provincial partners in campaigns and movements to eradicate violence against women, poverty and racism and work for social justice at all levels of society.

This project was funded by the Ministry of Attorney General , Victim Services Division

2003

2004

The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres action research project “Changing with the Times- The Rape Crisis Movement 25 years later: Renewing Advocacy, Program and Policy Work Across Ontario was implemented. It included a six months province-wide campaign bearing the theme “Make My Community Safe: End Sexual Violence “each month a secondary message was launched.

        Make my home safe : end sexual abuse

        Make my school safe: end sexual assault

        Make my workplace safe: end sexual harassment

        Make my streets safe: end sexual assault

        Make my friendships safe: end date rape

        Make health care safe: end patient abuse

        Make old age safe: end elder abuse

The campaign called on Premier Dalton Mc Guinty to make the issue of sexual violence a priority for his government. Buttons, Postcards, Bumper stickers were produced in English, French and Spanish for distribution. This project was funded $90,000 by the Status of Women Canada.

 Le Centre Victoria pours femmes de Sudbury and the Timmins and Area Women in Crisis announced the establishment of a new an independent Sexual Assault Centre for Francophone women in the District of Cochrane.

Funding approved $ 151,000 for the implementation of a (30) months community Capacity Building Grant by the Ministry of Attorney General –OVSS. Project name “Applying an Intersectoral Approach to working with Marginalized Communities” one of the deliverable a Best Practice Manual for internal use within RCC/SACs.

Members participated in a successful Volunteer Board Training / Conference (over 2 days) 70 members attended from across the Province of Ontario. This initiative $62,000 was funded by Ministry of Attorney General, OVSS.

Wife Assault Prevention Month was marked by the continuing province-wide campaign to draw public and political attention to sexual violence, focusing on sexual violence in the home. The coalition held a media conference in Sudbury on this topic on November 24th called “Making my Community Safe.”

Annual General Meeting held October 21 & 22 hosted by Chatham- Kent Sexual Assault Centre.

2005

OWD hosted a provincial conference: Finding Common Ground. Experts, Professionals and Front-line Workers assembled on November 28- 30 to share ideas and discuss solutions. Two OCRCC members were presenters.

Annual General Meeting held in Toronto.

2006

April 20th:  A letter was sent to Premier Dalton McGuinty regarding the establishment of A Sexual Harassment Awareness Week.  

May 15th: A letter was sent out to MPPs regarding Bill 107; An act to amend the Human Rights Code; relating to sexual harassment in the workplace. A response was received from the Attorney General Michael Bryant on July 5th.

November17th:  Letters regarding support for Bill 107 were sent to the Premier and Leaders of the Opposition Parties.   

The OCRCC released a guideline for centres regarding event planning and preparation as well as guidelines for hosting an all candidates’ debate in September.

Annual General Meeting held in Sarnia. 

2008  

February:  OCRCC Executive Newsletter released.  Updates on the McMurtry Victim Compensation Review, the Sexual Violence Action Plan, the Minister’s Office VAW Stakeholder Group, the Step it Up campaign, and various other issues. 

Annual General Meeting to be held in Halton.