Sexual Assault Resources Off Campus
Avalon Counselling Services
WHAT IS IT?
Specialized therapeutic counselling program available to women & Trans/gender non-identified individuals 16 years and older, who have experienced a recent or historical sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment.
HOW WILL IT HELP?
They offer 1-10 therapeutic counselling sessions to those who are currently experiencing a heightened time of distress or crisis following a recent sexual assault or are experiencing strong flashbacks and immediate distress stemming from a past sexual violation.
They offer 1 – 20 ‘Relational Healing’ services for those addressing historical sexual abuse and/or past sexual assault.
HOW DO I Access IT?
Currently the Counselling Program is experiencing a very high level of requests for appointments. As a result, we have had to make some temporary changes to our response times. If you have experienced an assault in the past three months you will be able to schedule a consultation session with a therapist within 2-3 weeks, and if you have experienced an assault more than three months ago you will be able to book a consultation within 4-12 weeks. During the consultation session, a therapist will explore with you your current needs and supports, and identify any outside services that would be appropriate. If you have experienced an assault in the past three months you can also, in the initial consultation, be placed on a priority waitlist for counselling at Avalon if our program appears to be a good match for your needs. Wait times for counselling sessions will vary. We understand that this may be difficult for people and we continue to work hard to reduce wait times and to seek resources to support our service delivery.
Avalon Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
WHAT IS IT?
Service for victims/survivors of a sexual assault who want to ensure their physical and medical well-being after an immediate sexual assault. The Avalon Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program provides this care while ensuring that the victim/survivor’s wants are respected
HOW WILL IT HELP?
SANE serves people of all genders (including trans-identified people) and all ages who have experienced a sexual assault in the past five days (120 hours).
A SANE is a registered nurse who has advanced training and education in forensic examinations of sexual assault victims. The Avalon SANE program provides medical examination and forensic evidence collection in the emergency departments of the IWK Health Centre, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Dartmouth General Hospital and Cobequid Community Health Centre.
Medical exams and/or forensic evidence collection through the SANE program will only be conducted with the victim/survivor’s consent. Evidence is not released to the police without the victim’s consent.
HOW DO I Access IT?
You can access SANE a number of ways:
Go to the emergency room of one of the participating hospitals or health centres (IWK Health Centre, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Dartmouth General Hospital and Cobequid Community Health Centre). The staff will call a SANE.
Call the Avalon SANE response line (902-425-0122), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call the Avalon SANE business line (902-422-6503) during Avalon Centre office hours.