CALGARY:ALBERTA

The Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team provides services to survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse in Calgary and surrounding areas. Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse, the Calgary Police Service, Alberta Health Services and the Crown Prosecutor's office are committed to working together to achieve a coordinated, collaborative first response to victims of sexual assault which has resulted in the development of the Calgary Collaborative Services Centre (CCSC).

Since opening in September of 2008, the Calgary Collaborative Services Centre has enhanced access to a seamless continuum of essential services such as crisis response, emergency shelter, early intervention and prevention, outreach support following crisis, medical/forensic exams, police investigations, police and court support and legal resources to survivors both sexual assault/abuse and domestic violence/abuse.

NEWS:

April, 2012:
The One-year Anniversary of the Third Option Pilot.

April 2012 marks the one-year anniversary of the Third Option pilot in the Calgary zone, with the hope that it will be rolled out as a provincial program. To date, there are only three other provinces that offer it: Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

The Third Option program allows forensic evidence to be collected, stored and frozen, without being turned over to the police, but still providing the opportunity for survivors to do so at a later date if they should decide to involve the justice system.

What’s historically happened is that either the survivors don’t seek medical attention at all, or they come in 72 hours to a week after the assault when it’s too late to collect forensic evidence. They do so because they think that if they come the have to report to the police. Survivors are astounded when they find out they don’t have to report the crime at all if they don’t want to.

News of the program went public in November. And the hope is that as more people learn of Third Option, the more willing they will be to come forward and get the treatment they need should they ever be assaulted. Hopefully they’ll also opt to have forensic evidence secured so they have the option to take action at a later date. But the decision is ultimately theirs. It’s a compassionate option that gives clients who are in perhaps the most vulnerable state in their life, time to think more clearly about the justice system and their options.

A six-month evaluation and survey show that the pilot has been very successful. As of January 31, 60 out of 264 total cases were Third Option cases. Of those, five survivors opted to take the evidence to police and pursue charges. The hope is that more of these cases will actually go to justice system and that more perpetrators will be convicted.

January, 2012:
Sexual Assault Follow-Up Clinic Celebrates One-year Anniversary.

Since opening its doors in January 2011, the clinic continues to provide vital follow-up to clients for up to six months after the assault. In an informal evaluation, the overwhelming response was, “We trust you. You were kind to us. We’re safe here, and we don’t have to tell our story over and over again. We feel like it’s a forward progress.”

INITIATIVES:

2012:
Domestic Violence Outreach Gains Momentum.

With the help of the Provincial Premiere and the Brenda Stratford Chair on Domestic Violence at the University of Calgary, CONNECT, Calgary’s domestic violence collaborative, is establishing a ten-year plan to strengthen community outreach to this population. The team is currently reviewing baseline data and best practice literature to establish a very coordinated, effective response to domestic violence.

The CONNECT partnership provides low threshold access to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse when they call for help. A dedicated counselor will be on the line to talk with victims and refer them directly to appropriate agency. It’s all about a person- to-person referral, versus a recorded message or an operator simply saying, “call this number.”

The Calgary domestic violence and sexual assault collaborative continues to work on promoting the need for healthcare personnel to ask every patient if they are victims of domestic violence. Originally, the domestic violence question was rolled out in emergent departments urgent care centers. This year, the initiative is rolling out to public health clinics, children’s hospitals, post partum units, HIV clinics and other community service partners.

The ultimate goal is that everyone who comes through Alberta Health Services is asked this question, “Are you a victim of domestic violence?” Research shows sometimes people need to be asked 8,9,10 times before they really feel safe to answer the question.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 101.

At an upcoming press conference, Executive Directors of the program, Chief Rick Hanson and other team members will be on hand to engage the public, answer questions and generate awareness around this critical subject.

Last year, a client came up to the team and said, “You know you saved my life, and my now my life is new and good and wonderful and I just want people to know help is possible.” She stood up and spoke at press conference saying, "I know there’s lots of you out there like, me and you need to get out of that relationship.” She was very powerful.

A Proposal is on Table to Get Domestic Violence Team Patterned After Sexual Assault Response Team.

Recognizing the urgent need for a Safety Assessment, SART members have put all the pieces in place and are in the process of trying to get funding for the program, which may initially be launched as a pilot project.

The goal? If a woman comes in where the prognosis for domestic violence was medium- to high-risk, a trained nurse would help prepare the documentation of evidence, and then connect the victim to the appropriate resources and counseling. The purpose is to provide a network of support where everyone works together to help break the cycle of violence.

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