Why Our Name Matters

This article was published following the 2026 Triathlon of Compassion to address a production error that resulted in an outdated version of the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre logo appearing on racer T-shirts and to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to trans-inclusive services.

The Triathlon of Compassion is one of our favourite days of the year.

It is a day that brings together survivors, supporters, volunteers, sponsors, and community members who believe that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and healing. Every participant, every donation, and every act of encouragement helps strengthen our collective commitment to ending sexualized and gender-based violence.

This year, however, we became aware of a production error that resulted in an outdated version of our logo appearing on the 2026 Triathlon of Compassion racer T-shirts.

While we did not have the opportunity to review the final artwork before production, we recognize that seeing our former name may have caused hurt or confusion for some members of our community. We wanted to take this opportunity to reaffirm who we are today, why our name matters, and the values that continue to guide our work.

Why We Changed Our Name

In 2012, Victoria Sexual Assault Centre began an intentional process of becoming a trans-inclusive organization.

This work was guided by listening, learning, and building relationships with trans community members. We reviewed our policies, practices, language, and services with one question at the centre of our work: How can we ensure that everyone affected by sexualized violence feels welcomed, respected, and supported?

As part of that commitment, we changed our name from Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre to Victoria Sexual Assault Centre.

The change reflected something fundamental about who we are.

Sexualized violence affects people of all gender identities. Our name should reflect the community we serve and the people we employ.

In 2013, with three years of funding from the Vancouver Foundation, we created a Trans Inclusion Coordinator position. Working alongside a Trans Advisory Committee, the person in this role helped inform, guide, and support organizational changes that strengthened our ability to provide accessible, affirming services.

Changing our name was one important step in that journey. It was never the destination.

Our Commitment Today

Our name is more than words printed on a T-shirt.

It reflects our values, our relationships, and our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every survivor knows they belong here.

We believe that working to end gender-based violence means recognizing and supporting everyone who experiences it.

Today, all of our services are open to Trans, Two-Spirit, and Gender Diverse survivors of sexualized violence. This explicitly includes Trans women and transfeminine survivors, Trans men and transmasculine survivors, Two-Spirit survivors, and all other Gender Diverse survivors.

Every survivor deserves to be believed.

Every survivor deserves safety.

Every survivor deserves compassionate, trauma-informed support.

Moving Forward

We are deeply sorry for any hurt or confusion that seeing the outdated logo may have caused. Although the printing error itself was outside of our control, we care deeply about the impact it may have had on members of our community.

Transparency and accountability are important to us. When something has the potential to create confusion about our values, we believe it is important to address it openly.

Moments like these remind us that symbols matter. Names matter. Feeling seen matters.

Our commitment to trans inclusion remains unchanged, and we will continue working to strengthen our relationships with trans communities while supporting all survivors of sexualized and gender-based violence.

To everyone who participated in, volunteered at, sponsored, or supported this year's Triathlon of Compassion – thank you.

Your compassion helps make our work possible, and together we continue building a community where every survivor knwows they are welcome, valued, and supported.

Call to Action

Learn more about our services and our commitment to supporting survivors of all gender identities

Whether you are seeking support, looking to volunteer, or helping fund our work, you are part of a community committed to ensuring that every survivor is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.