Provincial Findings: 

Nova Scotia  

She Matters was able to obtain responses from 39 emergency rooms in the province of Nova Scotia. Out of all the provinces and territories contacted, Nova Scotia was the most educated and sensitive. Every facility contacted demonstrated kindness, compassion and provided vital information regarding accessing sexual assault services in Nova Scotia. 

Many nurses spoke positively about their government’s SANE Program and how the province has committed to SANE training in major hospitals and had recently started a remote SANE nurse program. Although 51% of hospitals did not have sexual assault examination kits, they all knew where to send survivors to access one. In most cases, the hospital that the facility recommended the caller visit was within a one hour drive given the province’s small geographic area. Altogether, of the 39 emergency rooms contacted, 19 had kits available, 18 did not, and 2 relied on RCMP services. 

51% of hospitals either didn’t have access to kits, needed the RCMP to provide kits, or refused to answer availability

Longest Distance:  Inverness, NS to Sydney, NS (154 kilometres or 1 hour 56 minutes) 

Total Number of Hospitals: 39

Number of Hospitals with Kits: 19

Number of Hospitals without Kits: 18 

Refused to Answer: 0 

RCMP Must Bring Kit: 2