The SARP program offers assistance and support to anyone who's suffered a sexual assault in the central and northern Vancouver Island areas. (Island Health)

By Spencer Sterritt

helping hand

Sexual assault response program returning to Nanaimo aimed at helping all who need it

Apr 2, 2021 | 7:00 AM

NANAIMO — A response program helping those who’ve been sexually assaulted is returning to Nanaimo with a culturally inclusive mandate.

The Indigenous-informed Sexual Assault Response Program is being operated by the Nanaimo Family Life Association with funding from the First Nation Health Authority.

Deborah Hollins, executive director of the Association, told NanaimoNewsNOW the program will work closely with the Indigenous community to find best practices “so that all people, when they are received into a program and have had the unfortunate experience of being sexually assaulted, can be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.”

The program is being run in partnership with Island Health’s forensic nurse examiner and Warmland Womens Services from the Cowichan area. It will assist everyone who’d go to the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for assistance, which covers from the Malahat north.

Kathleen Harris, regional general nurse manager with FNHA, said the area was pinpointed as in need of better services.

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“There’s a wide range of reasons why someone wouldn’t be getting the help they need. Sometimes it’s remote distances, such as in Port Hardy, or people have had bad experiences when coming forward before.”

The FNHA is funding a program coordinator, who will ensure the program is offered to the full extent. It will also utilize many volunteers, who will receive Indigenous-led inclusivity training from Warmland Womens Services.

The pilot program is currently slated for one yar, but funding opportunities will be sought to keep the program operating throughout central Vancouver Island.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt