Provincial Findings: Manitoba

Responses from a total of 23 emergency rooms in Manitoba were obtained. In general, most of the hospitals were kind and sensitive to the callers. Four hospitals required the RCMP to bring the SAEK to the hospital because they were located in rural locations without proper training or facilities to store the evidence. Quite frequently, hospital staff mentioned that the RCMP had a chain of custody over the evidence, and therefore they were required to attend the hospital and take the SAEK with them once it was completed. This information was rarely mentioned in other provinces or territories. Eleven hospitals recommended that survivors drive to either Brandon Regional Health Centre or Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Although they spoke highly of these locations and their sexual assault services, these hospitals in many cases were located several hours away, thus leading to survivors of assault having to commute hours for emergency services. 

 She Matters was disturbed to be informed by one hospital that survivors seeking a SAEK in Churchill and the surrounding vicinity would need to be transported via MedEvac Air Ambulance to Thompson to have a sexual assault kit performed. A distance of approximately 403 kilometres. 

52% of hospitals either didn’t have access to kits, needed the RCMP to provide kits, or refused to answer availability

Longest Distance: Churchill,MB to Thompson.MB (403 kilometres via helicopter, train, or vehicle)

Total Number of Hospitals: 23

Number of Hospitals with Kits:11

Number of Hospitals without Kits: 8 

Refused to Answer: 0

RCMP Must Bring Kit: 4