Emergency

Sexual Assault Services (SAS) at Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital

Sexual assault is an emergency.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted, go to the emergency department. You might need medication for sexually transmitted infections (STI), emergency birth control or have injuries that need immediate attention.  

We believe you and we are here to support you.

If you are 13 or older and have been sexually assaulted within the past seven days, you can access specialized sexual assault services through the Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital Emergency Department. Your care is confidential. You do not need to report to the police/RCMP to access this service. 

BC Children’s Hospital recommends that individuals 14 and under who have been sexually assaulted should call 911 or go to BC Children's Hospital when possible. Please go to your local emergency department if you need immediate medical attention. Our emergency department doctors will be able to refer you to Children’s Hospital’s Child Protection Service Unit 

How to access

  • What is sexual assault?

    Sexual assault is any sexual contact that happens without your consent. It can happen to anyone, no matter their gender. It can include: 

    • Sexual touching without consent 
    • Pressuring someone into having sex 
    • Forced kissing or touching 
    • Forced sex 
    • Rape 

    It is never your fault. It doesn’t matter if you: 

    • Drank alcohol or used drugs  
    • Flirted with the person who sexually assaulted you  
    • Were friends with or in a relationship with the person who sexually assaulted you 
    • Consented to some sexual activities, like kissing or making out  
    • Consented to having sex with that person in the past  
    • Changed your mind after you gave consent 

    You may feel guilty, anxious, depressed, angry, numb, powerless, embarrassed, ashamed or in denial. You may be worried about sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, HIV, or injuries. These are all common concerns after a sexual assault. 

  • About us

    Sexual assault is a traumatic experience. You might not remember everything or find it hard to believe this really happened to you. This is normal. Our specialized Sexual Assault Services are led by a team of female forensic nurse examiners who are specially trained to respond to your health care needs in a safe, compassionate, knowledgeable and supportive environment. Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital sexual assault teams understand the trauma you’ve experienced. With your consent they: 

    • Provide medical care for injuries that may or may not be visible  
    • Provide medication and emergency birth control  
    • Provide sexual assault examinations 
    • Collect and store evidence for up to one year 
    • Connect you with follow-up community resources 
    • Help with the reporting process if you choose to report  

    This is a gender-inclusive service available to any consenting person aged 13 and older who has been sexually assaulted within the past seven days. 

    After seven days forensic evidence cannot be collected, but you are encouraged to get care through; the emergency department, urgent primary care centre, walk-in clinic, community health centre, youth clinic or your primary care provider (e.g., family doctor or nurse practitioner). There is no time limit on when a sexual assault can be reported to police/RCMP. 

  • What to expect

    If you want a support person with you during your visit to Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital you can call Sunshine Coast Community Services Emergency Sexual Assault Services at 604-865-0987  

    You do not need a parent or guardian to be with you. We have Indigenous patient navigators and virtual translators available through the emergency department.  

    • Go to the emergency department at Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital. When you arrive, go to the registration area. A nurse will ask why you are there, and you can say “it’s personal” or whatever you are comfortable with. Your information will be entered into the system, you DO NOT need to show any ID or a care card. If you want to keep your name private, tell the nurse. You will wait until the nurse calls you inside. 
    • Next you will see the triage nurse, you can tell them you’ve been sexually assaulted, but you don’t have to share all the details. The nurse will check your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels,  then take you to a private space to wait for the doctor.  We can contact a support person to wait with you if you’d like.   
    • The emergency doctor will make sure you are safe and your injuries are taken care of. If has been less than seven days since the assault, they will ask if you want to see a forensic nurse examiner. They will contact the examiner.  
    • If an examiner is not immediately available, we will schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Your safety is the most important thing to us and you are welcome to stay at the hospital or you can wait at another safe location until your appointment time. 
    • The forensic nurse examiner will meet you in the private care space. They will listen to your story and will give you three options to choose from: 
      • Option 1: Medical care only. This may include medication for sexually transmitted infection (STI), emergency birth control, blood and/or urine testing 
      • Option 2: Medical care and evidence collection. No reporting to police/RCMP. This can include the above and a physical exam, documentation of injuries, evidence collection, storing evidence in our locked evidence freezer for one year, if you choose, you can report to police at any time. 
      • Option 3: Medical care and evidence collection with handover to police/RCMP. This can include the above and help in the reporting process to police/RCMP and evidence handover to the police/RCMP. 

        *It is your choice what services you get and you can change your mind at any time. You do not have to do all parts of the exam. Exams can take two to six hours to complete. 
    • You are not alone. Before you leave the hospital, we will connect you with community resources that you may need on your journey to heal. 

  • Community support resources

Hours of operation

If an examiner is not immediately available, we will schedule an appointment as soon as possible.  

The Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital Emergency Department is open 24/7. 

Parking information

Parking at Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital is free 24/7. 

Resources

Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital

Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital is a 63-bed facility in Sechelt that also serves the communities of Langdale, Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay and Pender Harbour.

Sexual Assault Services (SAS)

Our sexual assault services provide survivors with the health care they need. We can also support with evidence collection, storage and reporting to police/RCMP if survivors choose.