Hospital staffing shortages lead to sexual assault survivors denied kits
CTV
A Sudbury-based sexual assault survivor advocacy group say some were denied access to a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit at Health Sciences North due to staffing shortages.
A Sudbury-based sexual assault survivor advocacy group say some were denied access to a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) at Health Sciences North (HSN) due to staffing shortages.
Last week, She Matters shared a post on social media, outlining that three survivors had been told to come back at a later date. Since then, Jacqueline Villeneuve-Ahmed, founder and director of the organization, told CTV News more people have come forward to say they have had the same experience.
A SAEK is performed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and includes a medical examination and testimony that can be used as evidence if the survivor decides to pursue legal action.
Villeneuve-Ahmed said HSN is one of 37 designated hospitals in Ontario supposed to offer access to the kit at all times. She added on HSN's website, it is indicated through the Violence Intervention Prevention Program that a survivor should be seen with 30 to 45 minutes after presenting to hospital.
"There should never be a point where a survivor is turned away," said Villeneuve-Ahmed.
"When you factor the statistic that 75 per cent of assaults take place from someone known to the survivor, it can be very difficult if not impossible for a survivor to present themselves multiple times to the hospital within a period of several days."
She said it also adds to the trauma the survivor has already experienced.
