Executive Summary. The facts and statistics surrounding sexual assault are daunting.

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2 Executive Summary The facts and statistics surrounding sexual assault are daunting. One in four North American women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. These mothers, sisters, daughters and friends come from all walks of life, and need our support. Most research suggests that 10 to 20 per cent of all males will also experience some form of sexual abuse or sexual assault at some point in their lives. The NDP government has been doing admirable work with partner organizations to improve access to services and increase education about sexual assault and consent. But there is more work to do. The following series of recommendations expands on the work that has already been done in Alberta, specifically surrounding the time from when an individual decides to come forward after being sexually assaulted, to before their case goes to trial. It s our sincere hope that these recommendations be considered and help to empower survivors of sexual assault in every corner of the province. More than anything, we want survivors of sexual assault to know that they are not alone, and that they are believed. Brian Jean Leader of the Wildrose Official Opposition Angela Pitt Wildrose Shadow Justice Minister Leela Sharon Aheer Wildrose Shadow Minister for the Status of Women

3 Expanding Resources The role of police and health care providers responding to allegations of sexual assault is critical since these people are a victim s first point of contact. All further decisions by a victim will be based on this initial contact. Training for first responders is critical to ensuring that survivors of sexual assault feel supported, believed, and are aware of all of their options. - Brian Jean

4 Recommendation 1 Study the possibility of legislating third choice or third option time frames for the secure storage of sexual assault evidence Third choice or third option offers survivors of a recent sexual assault the ability to defer the decision to involve law enforcement and begin an active investigation. Under third choice, evidence is collected and stored for a predetermined amount of time by either a specialized Sexual Assault Trauma Response Team or law enforcement. At present, there are no consistent guidelines in Alberta for what time period should be offered in third choice. Consistency would allow for this option to be better communicated to survivors of sexual assault as an available option. Under third choice legislation, there should also be mandatory notification for a sexual assault victim when a kit is set to be destroyed. It is important that this choice be offered to survivors of sexual assault regardless of which policing jurisdiction they fall under.

5 Recommendation 2 Advocate for a tele-health link that is staffed around the clock by a designated Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (S.A.N.E.) that can provide real time support and guidance to health care professionals so that more survivors can remain in their community if they choose A sexual assault exam has many steps and must be completed accurately while maintaining the chain of custody to be considered admissible evidence. Uncertainty for health professionals in incorrectly administering a sexual assault exam can lead to barriers for survivors in all communities. Developing a provincial resource for health care professionals to receive immediate guidance on administering sexual assault exams will provide necessary supports for front line services.

6 Recommendation 3 Report on current status and ensure that all law enforcement is equipped to handle and store sexual assault evidence kits Reports have shown that someone who has been sexually assaulted and has to travel long distances to get an evidence kit done is more likely not to report the assault. Law enforcement and health services must have consistent access to evidence kits and secure storage in order to support victims across Alberta.

7 Recommendation 4 Consider the legislation or regulation of written checklists with clear procedural expectations of immediate sexual assault services for all communities in Alberta, including rural and remote areas A clear checklist outlining procedural expectations takes guesswork out of what is a lengthy and sometimes complicated process of administering a sexual assault exam. This checklist would need to be continually reviewed by an appropriate body chosen by the province, which would ensure that the checklist is up to date, factual and disseminated to health care centres across the province.

8 Recommendation 5 Investigate legislation pertaining to the collection of evidence following a sexual assault of an unconscious victim or a victim unable to provide consent Currently, no legislation exists to address the issue of providing consent for forensic evidence collection when a patient is unable to do so. This would apply in cases when a victim has been both sexually assaulted and attacked to the point of unconsciousness, and is unable to make decisions surrounding the administering of a sexual assault exam; or when a victim is unable to provide consent for a variety of reasons. It would be important to ensure that consent protocols are coupled with the ability of the survivor to choose third choice should they decide to not pursue an active police investigation following the regaining of consciousness. It would also be important to investigate legislation that would provide clarity for health and policing professionals on their legal and forensic roles in caring for survivors of crime in situations like these.

9 Summary Survivors of sexual assault deserve to know they are not alone and that they are believed. The recommendations we are putting forward are common sense ways to support Albertans facing potentially the most challenging experiences of their lives. Wildrose is urging the NDP government to consider these five recommendations to protect and support survivors of sexual assault and create a safer, stronger Alberta.

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