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She Matters calls improved access to sexual assault evidence kits across Canada Group says its investigation showed 41 per cent of Canadian hospitals don t have SAEKs, commonly known as rape kits
Author of the article: Sudbury Star Staff
Publishing date: Feb 13, 2021 • February 15, 2021 • 2 minute read •
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She Matters, an organization founded in Sudbury to help protect rights and freedoms of sexual violence survivors, is calling on the federal government to improve access to sexual assault evidence kits, or SAEKs, commonly known as rape kits, in emergency departments and health centres.
She Matters said the group was alerted to the possibility of a widespread human rights issue related to SAEK access in 2018, when a woman from a rural community in Northern Ontario was unable to access a kit following a sexual assault. Volunteers began a campaign to quantify the problem by directly contacting hospitals and health centres across Canada to in
KVRR Local News
The hospital has eight SANE nurses available 24/7
January 26, 2021
A team of nurses at Jamestown Regional Medical Center is working to make those moments less traumatic.
“After an assault or rape, the first step towards a conviction, you know, before any evidence, testing, charges, before a trial, is a sexual assault forensic exam,” explains JRMC foundation director Lisa Jackson.
Commonly known as rape kits, sexual assault forensic exams require specialized nurses to complete.
JRMC has eight of these Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, or SANE, available 24/7.
According to Jackson, victims can be cared for by SANE nurses free of charge before or after going to the police, if they decide to do so.
December 31, 2020
7,814 Tests Completed, Resulting in 64 Arrests
Carson City, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that Nevada’s sexual assault kit testing initiative has concluded, with all previously backlogged sexual assault kits from prior to 2016 having completed forensic testing. Recently, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory completed testing on over 1,100 kits from northern Nevada. This milestone, along with the completion of testing southern Nevada kits from earlier this year brings the goal of testing all previously untested sexual assault kit in the state of Nevada to a close. In 2015, Nevada’s Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Working Group was established to eliminate the decades-in-the-making backlog, develop policies and protocols relating to the response to sexual assault, introduce legislation and enhance Nevada’s resources for investigation, prosecution and victim services. Over the years, the Working Group
Jessica Garcia discusses her thoughts during a signing ceremony for HB 2375. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, front, signed the law in 2019. Photo / Courtesy
Jessica Garciaâs life changed forever six years ago when she was violently sexually assaulted in her own home. After surviving the attack, she quickly realized the worst of it wasnât over when she tried to go to the hospital.
What followed was an ordeal Garcia believes no one should have to endure. So, sheâs trying to change it. And she just might succeed.
Plan of action
Garcia has already made big strides thanks to a partnership with State Rep. David Brock Smithâs office. In 2019, House Bill 2375 passed the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Kate Smith. The law requires district attorneys and hospitals to have a plan to treat sexual assault survivors or a plan to quickly transfer them to a facility that does.