When Every Second Counts
Improving access to evidence preservation, documentation, and reporting after sexual assault.
The Gap
6%
of sexual assaults in Canada are reported to police.
(STATISTICS CANADA • 2024)41%
of surveyed hospitals and health centres that responded reported not having sexual assault evidence kits (SAEKs) available for Survivors.
(SHE MATTERS • SILENCED • 2021)Background
Sexual assault remains widely underreported in Canada. Only 6% of sexual assaults in Canada are reported to police (Statistics Canada, 2024), and many disclose first to a trusted organization that may not be equipped to offer guidance on evidence preservation or documentation.
At the same time, a lack of forensic services, particularly in rural and remote areas, means Survivors are often on their own in the immediate aftermath.
She Matters surveyed 700 Canadian hospitals and health centres for their 2021 Silenced study; 581 responded, and 41% of those reported they did not have sexual assault evidence kits (SAEKs) available for Survivors. Those barriers fall disproportionately on Survivors in rural, remote, and underserved communities.
The Project
When Every Second Counts is a pan-Canadian initiative developing comprehensive, multilingual, trauma-informed resources to help Survivors understand their options for preserving evidence, documenting an assault, and navigating reporting after sexual assault. Resources will be developed for both Survivors and front-line organizations, will be available in English, French, and two additional languages to be determined during the project.
ACTIVE IN
British Columbia
Manitoba
Ontario
Nova Scotia
Yukon
Northwest Territories
Get Involved
We are currently identifying regional partners and consultation groups across Canada. If your organization works with Survivors in rural, remote, or underserved communities and is interested in contributing to this project, we’d like to hear from you.
FUNDED BY
