Provincial Findings: British Columbia 

Before commencing data collection for the study, She Matters observed that medical professionals and survivors in British Columbia have been vocal in drawing attention to the issues related to accessing SAEKs since at least 2015. CBC’s 2015 article titled Rape kit inaccessibility a hurdle to justice for victims in Canada reported that in 2015 the ministry (BC’s Ministry of Health) stated that it was actively engaged in finding a solution to BC’s SAEK accessibility problem. However, She Matters has determined that six years later, it appears that little has changed.

A total of 61 emergency rooms in British Columbia were contacted for the study. Volunteers who contacted hospitals and healthcare centres observed that staff were sensitive to callers. Many staff members seemed genuinely concerned, but there were quite a few hospitals that refused to answer, and many did not have SAEKs. The most significant barrier to access appeared to be a lack of time or desire for staff to conduct kits. She Matters volunteers conducting calls were often encouraged to seek services at other hospitals, even when kits were available at their location. In these instances, staff explained that the process of undergoing a kit took many hours and that they simply did not have the time or staff available to provide these services to survivors.

30% of hospitals either did not have kits, needed the RCMP to provide kits, or refused to answer availability.

Total Number of Hospitals: 61

Number of Hospitals with Kits: 43

Number of Hospitals without Kits: 14

Refused to Answer: 2

RCMP Must Bring Kit: 2
Longest Distance: Chetwynd, BC to Fort St. John, BC (1 hour 37 minutes drive)