If you are a victim of sexual assault — no matter how long ago — the provincial government will provide free legal advice to help.

In a $2.8 million pilot project for residents of Toronto, Ottawa, and Thunder Bay, Attorney General Yasir Naqvi said Queen’s Park will pay for up to four hours of confidential counsel from a lawyer.

“Sexual assault survivors need to know they have choices and they have power,” Naqvi said Tuesday in Ottawa.

“Providing them with information on support services that are available is only one piece,” he said.

“Offering them free legal advice is key to helping them make decisions about what is best for them as they move forward.”

The service will provided to women and men who are at least 16 years old and were assaulted in Ontario.

There is no statute of limitation on when the assault took place.

“Ontario’s pilot program to provide independent legal advice to sexual assault survivors is an important and groundbreaking step in bolstering the justice system’s response to these crimes,” said Amanda Dale, executive director of Toronto’s Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, which helps women who have experienced violence.

Women in Toronto can access the program directly through the Schlifer Clinic or female and male victims in Toronto, in Ottawa, and in Thunder Bay can submit an online request at www.ontario.ca/legaladvice or request further details by calling 1-855-226-3904.

The funding is part of a $41-million three-year program

to curb sexual violence and harassment launched by Premier Kathleen Wynne in 2015 called “It’s Never Okay.”

Wynne moved forward with the multi-pronged strategy after a Star investigation into how universities and colleges ‎handled complaints of sexual violence and the allegations of sexual assault against former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi, who was acquitted in March.

Tracy MacCharles, the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, noted that “navigating the justice system can be difficult for survivors of sexual assault.”

“Providing free legal advice helps them know their rights and provides critical support in their pursuit of justice,” said MacCharles.

The pilot project will run until March 2018 and if it is successful it could be expanded to other parts of Ontario.

Those eligible for the program will be able to choose from a roster of lawyers on a referral list to provide legal advice.

While these lawyers will not act for them in court, they can give counsel on next steps for representation.

Timeline:

November 2014: Accusations of sexual assault against then CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi, who is later acquitted, are revealed by the Star’s Kevin Donovan, sparking a national dialogue on the issue.

November 2014: A three-month Star investigation by reporters Emily Mathieu and Jayme Poisson finds Canadian universities and colleges are failing sex assault victims by not doing enough to protect them.

March 2015: In response to the outcry over the Ghomeshi allegations and the campus shortcomings, Premier Kathleen Wynne launches a three-year $41-million strategy to curb sexual violence and harassment called “It’s Never Okay.”

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March 2015: An edgy Ontario government ad to raise awareness of the problem goes viral and is viewed millions of times around the world on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms.

February 2016: Queen’s Park unveils a $100 million three-year strategy to end violence against indigenous women called Walking Together, which includes money for police and justice reforms, violence prevention measures, and anti-racism training for civil servants.

June 2016: Attorney General Yasir Naqvi announces the details of a $2.8 million pilot project to give free legal advice for victims of sexual assault in Toronto, Ottawa, and Thunder Bay.

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