Forensic sexual assault kits only available during office hours in Squamish

Victims of sexual assault in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor wanting access to a forensic examination kit will have to wait until business hours at the Squamish General Hospital for forensic sexual assault services or make a trip to the Lower Mainland.

Shannon Cooley Herdman, a sexual assault response coordinator for the Howe Sound Women's Centre, said forensic testing isn't available when it is most needed. It is only accessible between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday in one location in the corridor.

"If the sexual assault happens on a Saturday night, they would have to wait until Monday morning to access services at Squamish General Hospital," Herdman told CBC's The Early Edition host Rick Cluff.

The first testing kits were brought to the corridor in late 2015, after Squamish Coun. Susan Chapelle publicly shared her sexual assault story and pushed for more accessible sexual assault services. At that time, there were no forensic testing locations in the corridor at all and survivors had to drive to Vancouver for evidence to be collected.

Collecting evidence for justice

Herdman said the introduction of forensic sexual assault kits at the Squamish General Hospital was only the first step. 

"We would love to make sure that kits are also easier for survivors in Whistler and Pemberton to access 24/7," Herdman said. "Much like other trauma-associated incidents, service on demand means that people are going to get the care and access to justice they may be looking for." 

Sexual assault is one of the least reported violent crimes in Canada, with only six out of 100 reported to police. Herdman said the hurdle of collecting evidence can be a barrier for survivors seeking justice.

Evidence of sexual assault should ideally be collected in the first three days after the attack, she said, but it is possible to do so up to seven days later.

No plans for more kits

Carrie Stefanson, public affairs officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, said all sites in the  Sea-to-Sky corridor are able to provide medical care for sexual assault victims. They are then given a choice whether to undergo a forensic test. 

If the victim wants to take the test on the weekend or after 4:30 p.m., Stefanson said, they would need to drive to another location in the Lower Mainland such as the Vancouver General Hospital or UBC hospital.

Herdman believes there is still not enough help for survivors of sexual assault in the area.

"Vancouver Coastal Health has moved money around to make these kits available in the corridor but the full investment just hasn't emerged as yet," Herdman said.

With files from The Early Edition. 

To hear the full interview, click on the audio link on the upper left: Promises for more forensic sexual assault kits access in Sea-to-Sky Corridor not met