Whereas #1 the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) recognizes that survivors of sexual assault require timely, trauma-informed, and comprehensive medical, forensic, and support services to ensure their safety, health, and access to justice; and
Whereas #2 inconsistent availability of Sexual Assault Evidence Kits (SAEKs), commonly known as rape kits, persists across Canadian hospitals and communities, creating barriers to essential evidence collection and survivor care; and
Whereas #3 access to SAEKs alone is insufficient without the critical system capacity provided by appropriately educated healthcare professionals, particularly trained forensic nurse examiners who deliver specialized, violence-informed care; and
Whereas #4 medical/legal sexual assault examinations require advanced clinical expertise in comprehensive assessment, treatment, documentation, strangulation recognition, domestic and interpersonal violence, human trafficking, follow-up care, and court processes to ensure patient safety, evidentiary integrity, and effective justice system outcomes; and
Whereas #5 gaps in forensic nursing workforce education, training, and sustainable service delivery undermine equitable care for survivors, regardless of equipment availability; and
Whereas #6 strengthening forensic nursing capacity is fundamental to a coordinated national response that upholds survivor dignity and systemic accountability; therefore be it
Resolved #1 that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy that there be national standards, training, staffing and resources for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners across Canada; and be it further
Resolved #2 that the National Council of Women of Canada urgently call upon all levels of government, medical and healthcare authorities, and educational institutions to:
- Establish national standards and funding for comprehensive forensic nursing education, certification, and workforce development to ensure consistent availability of trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) across Canada;
- Mandate trauma- and violence-informed training for all healthcare providers involved in sexual assault care, with specific emphasis on advanced forensic skills;
- Develop sustainable service delivery models that guarantee 24/7 access to specialized sexual assault examinations in every region, supported by adequate staffing and resources;
- Ensure that Sexual Assault Evidence Kit availability is paired with mandatory protocols requiring examination by qualified forensic professionals;
- Launch a national strategy to address forensic nursing shortages, including recruitment, retention incentives, and integration of SANE programs within provincial health and justice systems.
