The Manitoba government is developing a provincial sexual assault response strategy led by local experts to provide compassionate and timely care to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence no matter where they live.
Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara said Thursday, “Thanks to the dedicated work of nurses, doctors, care providers and community partners, Manitobans will have access to safe and culturally appropriate care where they feel most comfortable. Our government is looking forward to bringing together the experience and expertise of these providers under one co-ordinated provincial strategy, expanding this wholistic approach to sexual assault and intimate partner violence care to other areas of the province.”
A new provincial sexual assault response strategy will be developed over the coming year. It will build on the work of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in Winnipeg community organizations and hospitals, to extend care and supports to rural and northern communities. It will also identify other programs, services and supports that will help prevent and respond to sexual assaults and intimate partner violence, Asagwara added.
This work is now underway, led by Dr. Yvette Emerson, Dr. Vanessa Poliquin and Leslie Spillett. More details about the strategy will be shared in the coming months, the ministers noted, adding, their work will centre survivors and will be informed by the experience of care providers working in this field.
The community of people who support survivors of sexual assault, including nurses, physicians, elders and community partners, gathered at the Manitoba Legislative Building today as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Both ministers took the opportunity to honour their critical work in providing compassionate, culturally safe and trauma-informed support for Manitobans.
Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said, Caring for survivors of sexual violence is sacred work, which is why we rely on the support of experts. There is so much more to do to protect women, girls and two-spirit peoples, and we will centre the experience of these survivors and the expertise of the communities who care for them, to shape the path forward.”
“Ministers Asagwara and Fontaine have gifted us a rare opportunity to come together and co-create a comprehensive, equitable provincial strategy that has the potential to be transformative in not only addressing immediate care needs but one that offers this care in such a way that our relatives impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence move along a path toward healing and wellness,” said Dr. Yvette Emerson, emergency medicine and family physician, Sandy Bay First Nation.
The Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence program offers forensic examinations and follow up support to sexual assault survivors from across Manitoba. The program was expanded in January to include non-emergent, trauma-informed care in community. Additional nurses have completed their forensic nursing training at Northwestern Polytechnic and have been providing care since last fall. The ministers noted the expansion of survivor care to rural and northern communities is a necessary step for ensuring all Manitobans have access to safe and culturally appropriate care close to home.
If any Manitobans or their family members, friends or loved ones have experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence, support is available by calling the Sexual Assault Crisis Line in Winnipeg at 204-786-8631 or toll-free throughout Manitoba at 1-888-292-7565.
