Celebrating 10 Years of the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic.

This February marks the 10-year anniversary of the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic at the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre—the first clinic of its kind in British Columbia. Established to provide survivor-centered care and break down barriers to accessing health care after sexual assault, the clinic was designed with survivors at the heart of every decision. Its trauma-informed, holistic model offers a space that is private, calm, and welcoming.

Why the Clinic Was Created

Before the clinic opened, survivors of sexual assault who needed medical care were referred to the Emergency Department at Victoria General Hospital. While support from the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in Victoria was available, significant barriers remained. Survivors could be required to attend four or more different locations depending on their choices, often experiencing limited privacy, environments that felt overwhelming or unsupportive, fear of judgment, and restricted access to information about available support services.

Survivors were often triaged alongside other patients in a busy, chaotic emergency room. Many reported feeling “on display,” particularly when accompanied by uniformed police officers. For those who chose to report the assault, attending a police station was often triggering and intimidating.

The clinic was created to provide a better option: a single, confidential location for survivors to access sexual assault support in Victoria, BC, in a compassionate, trauma-informed environment.

A Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Model

The Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic provides confidential care for sexual assault survivors, functioning as both a care site and an information hub. Survivors can access support for up to one week after an assault, including connections to next steps in healing. Research consistently shows that receiving compassionate support during the initial response can significantly improve recovery and reduce the long-term physical and emotional impacts of trauma.

The clinic serves survivors of all genders, ages 13 and older, who have experienced sexual assault within the past seven days. Its holistic model emphasizes privacy, accessibility, and survivor choice, providing a safe space during a time of vulnerability.

Services Offered at the Clinic

The clinic offers a wide range of services, all delivered confidentially in a welcoming and safe environment:

• Medical exams for injuries and assessment.

  Note: follow-up care is arranged with other health providers as needed; ongoing medical treatment is not provided at the clinic.

• Forensic exams for survivors, whether or not they choose to report to police. The exam can be stored for up to a year, giving survivors time to decide if they want to move forward with reporting.

• Options for reporting to police or receiving support without reporting

• Crisis support from trained professionals

• Connections to community resources and guidance on next steps in healing

By centralizing these services in one location, the clinic removes barriers and ensures survivors do not have to navigate multiple systems while accessing care after an assault.

Measuring Impact: SART Responses and Growth

The clinic’s impact is clear. In 2015, the year before the clinic opened, there were 58 SART Victoria responses. By 2025, that number had increased to 129—a 122% increase—demonstrating greater access to care and trust in a survivor-centered, trauma-informed model.

Advocacy and Provincial Support

After the clinic was established, there was no permanent provincial funding. The Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic was sustained through grants and fundraising, without stable, long-term support. Advocacy focused not only on securing funding for the clinic but also on supporting similar models of care across British Columbia.

In 2023, the Province committed to funding the clinic for three years, with the possibility of renewal, and to supporting the establishment of similar clinics across BC. This funding is provided through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (PSSG). This support allows the clinic to maintain emergency sexual assault response for recent survivors, and ongoing collaboration with community organizations, sharing knowledge and acting as a resource for other communities implementing holistic sexual assault support.

Looking Ahead: Continuing Survivor-Centered Care

As we mark 10 years of the Victoria Sexual Assault Clinic, we recognize the dedication, advocacy, and partnerships that made this work possible. The clinic remains committed to providing accessible sexual assault services in Victoria, BC, ensuring survivors continue to receive compassionate, confidential, and trauma-informed care now and into the future.