A team at Eastern Health dedicated to providing care to victims of sexual assault says the statistics are startling.

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program says last year alone they treated 67 victims. Only 26 cases were reported to police, leaving 41 unreported.

Cindy Mackey, the program coordinator, says it is important that victims receive both physical and psychological care to aid in their recovery.

Of the 67 cases they treated last year, 29 assaults were facilitated by drugs. In 33 of the cases, they knew their assailant.

The program provides special care and support to anyone—16 or older—who reports a sexual assault through the hospital emergency department.

Last May, SANE invited health care providers from across the province to take part in training sessions. Ultimately, the hope is to expand the program provincially.

The SANE program becomes involved when a patient goes to the emergency department and says that they’ve been sexually assaulted. A sexual assault nurse examiner is called immediately. The patient is then placed in a comfortable and safe location called the quiet room, away from the emergency waiting room.

Find information on the SANE program at this link, or by calling their office at 709-5865. In case of emergency, call 709-777-5502.