If you start to see #TrustYourself fly by when scrolling through your social media feed, it is part of an initiative from Island Health to encourage survivors of sexual assault to seek medical care.
The social media campaign is challenging the status quo – many people do not report sexual violence for a variety of reasons including stigma, fear of reprisal or the idea that drug or alcohol impairment could diminish their credibility.
Me Too At Work: Sexual assault and harassment in the B.C. workplace
Sexual assault is the most under-reported violent crime in Canada, with just one in every 20 sexual assaults reported to police, according to Statistics Canada, despite the number of cases reported increasing since the #MeToo movement went viral in October 2017.
Reports of sexual assault in B.C. spike after #MeToo goes viral: Stats Canada
Forensic nurse examiners have specialized training and can help survivors up to seven days after an assault, providing medication and connecting survivors to counselling support. Services are free, strictly confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Vancouver Island Crisis line at 1-888-494-3888. RELATED: Sexual assault victims often decide against giving rape kits to police: study According to Statistics Canada, 87 per cent of people who report sexual assaults are women and 13 per cent are men. Support is available to people of all genders and with options to liaise with the legal system with a survivor’s consent and provide referrals for follow-up care. The campaign also tackles domestic violence with the message, “But we’re together,” reinforcing that sexual and physical violence happens within relationships, and is considered a crime. For more information on Island Health’s forensic nurse examiners, visit IslandHealth.ca/trustyourself. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter Island HealthVancouver Island Health Authority Just Posted![]() MISSING: Mackenzie Courchene last seen in Langford on March 2West Shore RCMP is asking for the public’s help in locating the Langford teenager ![]() Esquimalt blazes new trail toward modern public safety buildingTownship using alternative approval process for first time to gauge public support for proposal ![]() Residents’ videos help campaign Dance Across VictoriaCelebratory dance clips to be compiled into Greater Victoria Festival Society video ![]() Saanich high school goes virtual with Freaky Friday musicalReynolds Secondary theatre program to livestream performances March 9-12 ![]() Fire displaces three Saanich families from two homesSaanich firefighters found the fire had spread to a neighbouring home upon arriving ![]() ‘It’s been a good week’: Tam hopeful on vaccines as pandemic anniversary nearsTam says the addition of two new vaccines will help Canadians get immunized faster ![]() ‘Worse than Sept. 11, SARS and financial crisis combined’: Tourism industry in crisisTravel services saw the biggest drop in active businesses with 31 per cent fewer firms operating ![]() Parts recycled, life returning to inlet as as old Port Alice mill decommissionedBankruptcy company oversees de-risking the site, water treatment and environmental monitoring ![]() Miller, Boeser have 3 points apiece as Vancouver Canucks beat Maple Leafs 4-2Second straight loss for visiting Toronto squad ![]() Aquarium users in B.C. warned after invasive mussels found at pet storeConservation officers were told the mussels were found in a moss ball from a Terrace pet store. ![]() Walter Gretzky remembered as a man with a ‘heart of gold’ at funeralThe famous hockey father died Thursday at age 82 after battling Parkinson’s disease ![]() Ex-B.C. teacher who was CFL kicker charged with assault, sexual crimes against former studentsDonald Sweet taught in Mission School District for 10 years, investigators seek further witnesses ![]() Medicine gardens help Victoria’s Indigenous kids in care stay culturally connectedTraditional plants brought to the homes of Indigenous kids amid the COVID-19 pandemic ![]() $16.9 million invested to improve worker safety, strengthen B.C.’s food supply chainMoney to be used for social distancing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, and air circulation Most Read |