Emergency

Forensic Nursing Services at Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital

Need help immediately?

If there is a life-threatening safety concern, please call 9-1-1 or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-784-2433

BC Crisis Line: 604-310-6789

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Indigenous Crisis and Support Line - KUU-US Crisis Support Line: 1-800-588-8717

Harm reduction: Toward the Heart 

Sechelt health-care providers specialize in the care of those who have experienced sexualized violence. Sexual assault includes:

  • Unwanted sexual touching, grabbing, kissing, or fondling by anyone (partner, friend, stranger, family member)
  • Sexualized violence or rape (vaginal, oral, anal)
  • Waking up and not knowing what has happened to you

This service is confidential. Our goal is to help those who have experienced sexualized violence by offering medical care, resources, and medical-legal support in a non-judgmental manner, ensuring you get the care you need.

How to access

  • Go to the emergency department

    If you experienced a sexual assault of any sort within the past seven days, you can access the Forensic Nursing Services at Sechelt Hospital through the Sechelt Hospital Emergency Department.

    How the process works

    Upon arrival at the emergency department, you will be registered as a patient. When asked for a visit reason, you can respond “personal."

    An Emergency Department nurse will see you. You do not have to disclose the full incident; they will check for physical injuries to ensure you are safe. You can then ask to see a forensic nurse.

    You will likely have to wait for the forensic nurse to respond to the hospital, as they are not onsite 24/7. Depending on available space, you will either be placed in a quiet room or the waiting room. We can offer to contact a support person to wait with you while the forensic provider comes onsite.

    The forensic provider and emergency department physician will come in to see you and listen to your report of the event. The assessment will begin and may take a few hours to complete. We will then ask your consent to one of the three options for care: 

    Option 1

    Medical care only. We will offer a physical assessment, medications to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection, immunizations, and address any concerns you may have

    Option 2

    This includes medical care, as stated above, and a forensic exam, including collecting swabs from relevant body parts with your consent. You may choose to provide urine, blood, and clothing samples. These samples and a forensic report will be stored for up to 1 year while you decide to report the assault.

    Option 3

    This includes medical care and a forensic examination, as stated above, with the samples and a report sent directly to RCMP.

    You may be offered medications and information for follow-up and resources. We will assist with ensuring you have a safe place to go to after the examination.

    What happened is not your fault. We are here to help guide you through this traumatic experience and regain control over your body.

  • Additional contacts for immediate support

    For immediate support or if you would like to speak to someone about your experience, contact:

Hours of operation

Currently open

We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Visiting hours may vary depending on the unit. Please call the Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital main line at (604) 885-2224 to determine visiting times before your visit.

Parking & Transportation

​Free parking is available in the parkade, and public transit is nearby.

Resources

Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital

Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital is a 38-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.