Nova Scotia's community services minister launched the next phase of the province's sexual violence strategy Monday, announcing more than $250,000 for 11 community groups, with the goal of preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors.

Joanne Bernard said an additional $600,000 will be made available again in the fall, for a total investment of more than $1.2 million over two years.

Since the sexual violence strategy began two years ago, the province has spent $1.25 million on community grants, provided 211 and 811 phone operators with special training, and struck an interdepartmental committee aimed at streamlining government policies related to sexual violence.

A public awareness campaign is expected to be launched this fall.



As part of the announcement, Dartmouth student Kayley Dixon, 14, read "A Touch of Sexual Assault," a powerful and troubling poem she wrote about what it's like being a teen girl today.



Dixon is involved in the Youth Art Connection project, one of the groups that received funding from the Nova Scotia government this week to fight sexual violence.

Master of ceremonies Robyn Gorman runs a program through the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre that aims to prevent violence against women and girls in North Dartmouth. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)

Bernard announced the latest grant recipients at the Northbrook Community Centre in Dartmouth on Monday.

They are: