Sexual assault can have lasting emotional and physical effects on survivors. Many report feelings of isolation, shame, anxiety, and suicidal ideation (WCSAP, 2018). Getting help after sexual assault is necessary but also often daunting. We will suggest some ways to get help and find your power again.
- Sexual Assault Services and Police Reports
Ensuring survivors are safe and cared for is the top priority! Many hospitals in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health region for Sexual Assault Services. It is important for survivors to receive these services as soon as possible. For more information visit cardteams.com, click the tab “resources” and choose the drop down menu titled “Information on Sexual Assault Services (SAS)/Forensic Kits”.
From there, you can choose to report to the police. While reporting a sexual assault can cause distress, there are benefits for both the survivor and the community. It is important to know that reporting to the police does not mean that pressing charges is necessary. Even if there is no investigation, reporting sexual assault provide survivors with additional control and safety since having the incident on file can make the process smoother if you do with to press charges in the future. There is no statute of limitations for cases of sexual assault so having a statement on record can make it easier in the future if they change their mind (McKiggan, 2020). Reporting sexual assault also helps build cases against repeat offenders.
Remember that the well-being and safety of the survivor is the top priority and they make the final decision iif making a report is what is best for them. As a supporter, the best thing you can do is equip the survivor with all their options and support them through whatever decision they make. While filing a report to the police can be helpful it should also be noted that many people report having a negative experience with the police when reporting sexual assault (Gov. of Canada, 2022). Filing a police report can be overwhelming and recounting an experience of sexual assault is often triggering. Since police officers are not trained counsellors they may not know the right way to respond to your statement. Bringing a friend or family member to the police station is often recommended to provide support and comfort. If you do decide to report a sexual assault, you can choose to phone or go in person to your local police station. You may initiate your complaint over the phone to an officer, though a formal statement is usually taken at the police station. Formal statements can be taken at any time at any police station but it is recommended to call ahead and make an appointment. By doing this you can request an officer of the same gender if that is preferred and ensure a level of privacy as smaller stations do not always have separate rooms available on call (RCMP, 2021). For a detailed description of the process of reporting a sexual assault please visit the VPD report a sex crime if you are within the Vancouver jurisdiction or for RCMP visit Information for sexual assault survivors | RCMP or your local police department’s website.
2. Third-Party Reporting
Third-Party Reporting is an option available in BC for adult (19+) sexual assault survivors who wish to stay anonymous from the police. Third-Party Reporting is done through community-based victim service programs that take details about the crime from the survivor and relay this information to the police without revealing the survivor’s identity. Victim service workers are trained specifically on how to handle situations of sexual assault and can often provide a more supportive experience. Once the report is filed on the survivor’s behalf it is still their choice whether they wish to press charges and/or have the police investigate. At any point during or after the process, the survivor may choose to work directly with the police (RCMP, 2021). To find more info on third-party reporting programs or to find a program in your area visit VictimLink BC | VictimsInfo.
3. Seeking counselling
Counselling can be a great way to work through the aftermath of sexual assault. Regardless of whether the sexual assault is reported or not, counselling is a positive step to take. While any certified counsellor can provide service, it is recommended to see someone who is trained in dealing with survivors of sexual assault. These specialised counsellors can supply unique coping skills as well as provide compassion, validation and support to survivors. Recounting traumatic events such as sexual assault is often difficult but when talking to a trained professional in a safe place it can be cathartic and have positive mental effects (Justice, 2023). To find a counsellor trained in working with sexual assault survivors in your area visit Sexual Assault Counselling | BC.
References
Government of Canada, D. of J. (2022, August 17). Bill C-46: Records Applications Post-Mills, a caselaw review. 3. Statistics on Sexual Assault (cont’d) – Bill C-46: Records Applications Post-Mills, A Caselaw Review. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/ccs-ajc/rr06_vic2/p3_4.html
Justice, A. (2023). Benefits of going to therapy for Sexual Abuse & Sexual Assault Survivors. Benefits of Sexual Abuse Counseling. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/abuse/benefits-of-sexual-abuse-counseling/
McKiggan, J. (2020). Legal options for sexual abuse survivors. Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.legalinfo.org/legal-information-topics/sexual-abuse#:~:text=In%20Canada%20 there%20is%20no,able%20to%20proceed%20with%20charges
Police, E. (2020). What you can expect when reporting a sexual assault. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CommunityPolicing/PersonalPropertyCrimes/SexualAssau lt/ReportingSexualAssault
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, C. (2021, April 30). Information for sexual assault survivors. Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/relationship-violence/information-sexual-assault-survivors# a4
WCSAP. (2018, October 11). The effects of sexual assault. THE EFFECTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from
https://www.wcsap.org/help/about-sexual-assault/effects-sexual-assault
Written by Julian Woodin and editted by Chloe Pretchuk
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