The Central Nova Sexualized Assault Response Team (CNSART) is asking all Nova Scotia doctors to stop plucking hairs from victims during sexual assault exams.

"Shocked. I think shock is the word that quite a few people used," said CNSART member Jeanne Sarson.

The Truro group is made up of 30 organizations that help sexual assault victims. When the committee heard hospital staff often pluck scalp and pubic hairs, they sympathized with the trauma inflicted on rape victims in the "outdated" practice.

"I just think of somebody going in and here we have medical science people doing the same thing [and] what that would be like for somebody who has just been sexually violated, to have their hair plucked from science people, from the health care system, when it's not necessary," said Sarson.

CNSART has drafted a letter to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. It requests the practice of plucking hair from sexual assault victims be discontinued.

The Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons says it has not received the letter yet, and that it would be premature to comment until they have a copy.

In the meantime, the Truro group is also considering sending letters to the College of Registered Nurses as well as Dalhousie Medical School.

"So that the doctors and the medical staff and new medical staff coming from universities will actually know what they should be doing and the archaic system that's already in place with the plucking of pubic hairs," said Al McNutt, a member of CNSART.

"Things don't happen overnight, and sometimes it takes a community to really stand together united and take a cause and try to move it forward."

RCMP headquarters declined an interview. However, in an email statement, a spokesperson stated a new model kit has been developed. The RCMP does not know when the updated prototype will be released.

CNSART also released a position statement outlining their concerns.