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Does Geography Impact Access to Justice?

Access to Evidence Collection in Rural and Remote Communities

About the Research

The purpose of this study is to understand and address the challenges facing people in rural and remote areas when seeking forensic evidence collection (a sexual assault exam kit) after sexual assault.

Our research, using Indigenous approaches and guidance, is rooted in upholding your wisdom, learning more about your survivance, and carrying the collective wisdom and voice of all those involved by creating ethical spaces for sharing. People from the Yukon, Northern British Columbia, and Northern Ontario will participate in this study, and a total of 60 survivor participants will be interviewed. We are also seeking to engage with professionals working in sexual assault response. 

The study will contribute to identifying and supporting advocacy efforts to alleviate obstacles and gather ideas for relevant, culturally informed protocols for individuals seeking assistance and care in the future.

 

Why We're Focussed on Forensic Evidence Collection 

Focusing on the barriers to forensic evidence collection addresses a critical aspect of ensuring justice and healing for survivors of sexual assault. When we identify and understand the hurdles survivors face in accessing forensic evidence collection, we are not just unravelling challenges; we are dismantling barriers to justice itself.

Forensic evidence is a powerful tool for articulating survivors' experiences and holding perpetrators accountable. By shedding light on these barriers, we pave the way for more effective, survivor-centric support systems and policies. It's not just about gathering data; it's about empowering survivors to navigate a system that often falls short. 

By improving access to forensic evidence collection in remote areas, we hope to contribute to breaking the cycle of violence against Indigenous women and girls, and uphold human rights, as emphasized in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG+) report.

Meet the Research Team

We are a dedicated and passionate team working to illuminate the unique challenges faced by survivors in the pursuit of healing and justice. 

Patti Derbyshire

Research Lead/ Facilitator (PI)

Patti is a non-Indigenous team member at Rise, situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples of the qiqéyt (Qaygayt) and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nations, and alongside the North Fraser Métis community. Patti joins Rise with 25 years of experience as an educator and working with and for Indigenous communities, organizations, and programs. She works from a place of unsettling colonial memory while following the guidance and local ethics of Indigenous communities where she is called to do so.

Jacqueline Villeneuve-Ahmed

Project Supervisor & Research Coordinator

Jacqueline is a survivors’ rights advocate, trauma-informed care educator and community-based researcher. Passionate about leveraging technology to connect survivors with support services, she founded She Matters United a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rights of survivors of sexual violence. Born and raised in Atikimeksheng Anishnawbek Territory (Sudbury), Jacqueline is a Muslim Canadian, wife, and mother of three.

Hayley Roulstone

Research Support

Hayley is a non-status First Nations team member at Rise, situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and International Development and a Master’s degree in Environment, Development, and Policy through the University of Sussex. 

Research Approach

Who can participate:

  • Our focus is on survivors who intended to collect evidence but were prevented from doing so, directly or indirectly. Participants will not be asked to disclose or recall the incident.
  • Participants must be from the Yukon, Northern Ontario and Northern BC, over the age of 18 at the time of the research and have experienced sexual assault over the age of 16.  
  • Professional participants working in sexual assault response must be working in, or have worked in the last 3 years, an official capacity as a legal professional, law enforcement professional, medical professional, advocate, children's aid worker, social worker, Elder, administrators within partnering Nations, councelor, VWAP (Victim Witness Assistance Program) worker, Victim Services worker or non-profit professional.  

What participants can expect during the conversation:

  • Participation in the study will involve one 45-minute to one-hour interview with the primary researcher. A counsellor will be nearby should participants wish to call them into the interview at any time. Participants might also wish to attend with a friend, a pet, a loved one, or an Elder. It is the participant’s choice of who is in the room during the interview.
  • All interviews are conducted in a confidential setting, ensuring the safety and privacy of the participants. The identities of the participants will remain confidential, and their safety will be prioritized throughout the process.
  • Details of the assault will not be inquired about; only questions pertaining to the reporting experience will be addressed. Additionally, participants will receive the questions ahead of time.

How participants will be supported at every stage:

  • We acknowledge the value of participants' time and recognize that involvement may require missing work and commuting. Therefore, a payment of $250 is offered for their participation.
  • Additionally, participants will have access to two sessions with a local, trained therapist—one immediately following their session and two more at their convenience.
  • Participants' stories are entirely theirs, and they retain complete control to modify or withdraw any part of their contribution at any time. All data will be deidentified, and consent will be sought before using any direct quotes.

Get Involved 

Our vision is a world where geography does not impact justice and access to healing support services. Only by addressing these barriers head-on can we foster an environment where survivors are not only believed but are provided with the tools they need to seek justice and healing. This work is about fostering a cultural shift where survivors are met with compassion, where justice is not a distant ideal but a tangible reality, and where communities actively contribute to the creation of safer, more supportive healing environments for all.

 

Contact Us

Fill out the form below and a member of the team will get back to you within 2 business days. 

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