Rape kit centres shortage in B.C., says women's support worker

A women's support worker says more rape kit centres are needed throughout B.C. so that women who have been sexually assaulted have fewer obstacles to reporting it.

A woman in Nova Scotia recently told CBC she waited three days to access sexual assault testing, during which time she wasn't able to shower.

Physical evidence gathering through sexual assault testing can be a vital part of a police investigation.

Pakka Liu, a victim services medical support worker with Women Against Violence Against Women in Vancouver, says the situation isn't much better in B.C., especially in more remote areas of the province.

"Ideally what we would like to see is to have women’s organizations and rape kits available no matter where the woman is at," says Liu.

"Unfortunately the reality is only a handful of hospitals that provide sexual assault service."

According to Liu, there are only 12 centres that offer rape testing services in B.C.

Liu says women in some parts of the province face an eight-hour drive before they can access sexual assault services.

"That’s one of the main reasons why a lot of women don’t get that service after a sexual assault," says Liu.

Part of the problem, according to Liu, is that many doctors and nurses don't have the special training to offer the service.

According to a 2008 Statistics Canada report on sexual assault, one in 10 sexual assaults in the country is reported to police. Of the ones reported, only a third result in any charges being laid, and less than half of those charges result in a guilty conviction.

To listen to the full interview, click on the audio labelled: Too few rape kit centres available in B.C., says women's advocate.