Support for victims of sexual assault lacking, says Island woman

A P.E.I. woman is frustrated with what she calls a lack of support for sexual assault victims on the Island.

Jennifer, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, says she was sexually assaulted earlier this year.

It was too much for me to handle alone. I was feeling overwhelmed and anxious and I couldn't sleep and I couldn't eat, all I wanted to do was lay in the shower.— Sexual assault victim

She says a man kissed and groped her against her will, triggering painful memories of previous sexual assaults by others.  

She says the first occurred when she was 15, and she was raped on three separate occasions in the years following.

She's now 26, and says several Island doctors have diagnosed with her with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jennifer didn't report the previous assaults or seek counselling because she finds it hard to trust people. But this time, she decided it was time to seek help.

'Too much to handle alone'

"It was too much for me to handle alone. I was feeling overwhelmed and anxious and I couldn't sleep and I couldn't eat, all I wanted to do was lay in the shower," she said.

Six days after the assault, Jennifer called the P.E.I. Rape and Sexual Assault Centre. She says a recorded message advised anyone seeking immediate help to go to their local hospital emergency room.

Desperate to talk to someone, Jennifer went to her local emergency room that evening. She says she told them about the assault and that she was suffering from anxiety as a result, and was advised it could be several hours before she'd see a doctor, so she decided to leave.

Jennifer contacted Community Mental Health and was left with the impression that she may have to wait up to six months to see a counsellor.

'Wait lists vary'

When asked about wait times for counselling with Community Mental Health, Health P.E.I. responded with a statement: "Wait lists vary from location to location across the province and how long a person may be waiting to seek counselling also varies."

I don't want anyone to feel discouraged when they hear there's a wait list ... We're not happy about that situation either, so I hope that wouldn't put anyone off from calling.— Sigrid Rolfe, PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre

The P.E.I. Rape and Sexual Assault Centre offered Jennifer an assessment in Charlottetown, but she says she didn't have the gas money to drive that far.

In early May, Jennifer reached out to the centre again, and has an assessment scheduled closer to home for late May.

Wait list for 'historic sexual abuse' only

According to the PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre, the current wait list applies only to those who were not assaulted recently.

The centre's coordinator Sigrid Rolfe said the organization received 119 requests for counselling in 2015, and 70 per cent of those were survivors of historic sexual abuse.

Rolfe says more than 20 Islanders are currently on the waiting list, and getting through that list takes time because counselling victims of sexual abuse isn't a quick process.

"We recognize that often complex childhood trauma requires a lengthy time in counselling, so we're prepared to see a person as long as needed," said Rolfe.

'We could improve our responses'

Rolfe says no one at the centre is happy about the waiting list.

"I don't want anyone to feel discouraged when they hear there's a wait list," she said. "We're not happy about that situation either, so I hope that wouldn't put anyone off from calling."

Rolfe says calls from those who've experienced a recent sexual assault are returned within a day, victims are seen for a consultation within two weeks, and the goal is to have them start counselling within a month.

The centre has the equivalent of two full-time therapists, who spend the majority of their time in Charlottetown — where the majority of their calls originate — with one day per week in either Summerside or Alberton.

But Rolfe says there's always more need that can be addressed for all victims.

"I think in all areas we could improve our responses."

Rolfe says the centre is recruiting an additional part-time therapist.

Still waiting

Jennifer has filed a report with the RCMP, but ultimately decided not to pursue charges.

While she waits for counselling, Jennifer's family doctor has prescribed anti-anxiety drugs, but she says they just make her feel worse.

I want them to be available to help people when it happens, not help them two, three, four months later.— Sexual assault victim

"I don't really want to be medicated," she said.

"I would prefer to have therapy over medication. I'd prefer not to have to take a handful of medication every morning, that just makes you feel like you are crazy."

Jennifer says it will be nice to finally talk to someone, but wishes that help had come sooner and was easier to come by.

"I want them to be available to help people when it happens, not help them two, three, four months later."

She's also like to see more attention paid to mental health as part of the initial emergency room assessment for victims of sexual assault.

She says in many cases, vital signs just don't show how urgently someone needs help.