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Self-collection rape evidence kits will be available soon in Terrace

'The paceKit offers an option to those who typically would not report their assault,': Chloe Hunt
chloe-hunt-pacekit
Victoria-based Chloe Hunt designed the paceKit. She is the founder of Fourwords Solutions, social enterprise committed to making a lasting impact in the space of sexual assault prevention and response.

A Victoria woman has developed a self-collection kit for victims of sexual assault, which will soon be available at the 'Ksan Society's several locations in Terrace, B.C., free of cost.

“The paceKit offers an option to those who typically would not report their assault,” said Chloe Hunt, founder of Fourwords Solutions. “Our goal is to provide an option for evidence collection regardless of geographical location or circumstance and increase reporting particularly in rural and remote areas of the province."

Hunt developed the kit in consultation with law enforcement, legal professionals, advocates and forensics experts. It is designed to be used within 48 hours of a sexual assault and is inclusive of all genders.

A trained staff member at 'Ksan Society will help guide people through the process to ensure that the evidence is collected properly. The kit itself includes detailed instructions on the sample collection. 

This new option is especially needed British Columbia because 37 per cent of woman and 11 per cent of men have reported being sexually assaulted since the age of 15, the most of any province

In 2019, only six per cent of incidents were brought to the attention of police, the lowest rate of reporting any crime measured by the General Social Survey.

“Few people report sexual assault and change needs to happen,” said Hunt. “We acknowledge the criminal justice system is not a route everyone wants to take, but we believe people should at least have the option, regardless of where they live and their life experiences. Expanding access to evidence collection is just a small piece of that puzzle.

"The moment the kit is complete, it is handed over to the RCMP with either a full or third-party (anonymous) report," continued Hunt. "To ensure chain of custody is maintained, we consult with local RCMP so that they are aware of the program and on-board with receiving the kits."

Hunt shared that the RCMP have been "very supportive of the initiative as they are interested in increasing the number of reported sexual assaults."

“Ideally, we would like survivors of sexual assault to report to the police and take a sexual assault kit at the hospital with a qualified person, as that is the best evidence,” said Inspector Terry Gillespie, Terrace RCMP. “However, we understand that some may not be ready to come forward to the police or a doctor, and the paceKit is another option for those who want to collect and preserve evidence but aren’t ready to move forward with a report to the police.”

The kit was first launched in Trail, B.C. and Hunt said the program and kits have been "well-received."

"We recognize that northern communities face unique challenges in delivering services to people who experience sexual assault," said Hunt. "We are hoping to increase access to DNA evidence collection after sexual assault in all northern communities, and are working with select communities in the Northwest to make this a reality."

The 'Ksan Society is a social service agency that leads the Sexual Assault Response Advisory committee (SARA). They are also on the Violence Against Women in Relationships committee (VAWIR), and co-lead the Interagency Case Assessment Team (ICAT), which supports victims of domestic violence who are at risk of seriously bodily harm.

"The [paceKit] program felt closely aligned with 'Ksan Society's mission to empower, assist, and support people impacted by gender-violence, poverty, and other social inequities, so we decided to implement it within our community serving locations," said Lisa Schmidt, director of Counselling and Support Programs.

"We're working on formally launching the program, with the kits available shortly," she said. "We look forward to continuing to support the community and working towards a future where every person is treated equitably and is free from violence and poverty."



About the Author: Harvin Bhathal

I'm a multimedia journalist for the Terrace Standard, a Black Press Media newspaper.
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