A sexual assault prevention and crisis coordinator in Labrador is calling on government to provide more supports for victims.

With the sexual assault rate in Labrador four times more than the national average, Deirdre Connolly says a sexual assault nurse examiner is desperately needed.

Connolly, who works at the Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay says victims currently rely on staff in an already strained healthcare sector.

She says the addition of a specialized nurse would be a key player in addressing such high rates of sexual violence.

Connolly says a sexual assault nurse examiner has training in dealing with victim trauma and has better knowledge of how to respond to those who show up to a hospital looking for treatment following sexual abuse.