After Hours Response Line Nurses Do Not:

• Assist with the police investigation beyond collection of forensic evidence
• Give statements to the police or assist victims with giving a police statement
• Respond to the crime scene or the victim’s home
• Provide services to anyone under 13 years of age

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (SANE)
The SANE Program is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Health, and coordinated by Avalon Sexual Assault Centre. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is a Registered Nurse who has advanced training and education in forensic examinations of sexual assault victims.
The SANE Program is a partnership with the IWK Health Centre, the QE II Health Sciences Centre, the Dartmouth General Hospital and the
Cobequid Community Health Centre. Through this initiative, on-call SANE’s will provide immediate care and conduct forensic examinations of victims of sexual violence.

The SANE Program provides:
• Emergency response, 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
• Response to the emergency departments of the IWK, QEII, Dartmouth General Hospitals and the Cobequid Multi-Service Centre, usually within one hour;
• Services to females, males and trans persons of all ages;
• Expert testimony in a court of law;
• Supportive follow-up for victims;
• Storage of forensic evidence for six months. The SANE Program does not provide:
• Transportation;
• Medical services outside the hospital emergency departments;
• Medical treatment to anyone other than victims of sexual violence.

Police/Emergency 911
You always have the option of calling the police immediately if you have been sexually assaulted. They will respond, take a statement from you, and proceed to investigate your complaint. They will also take you to the hospital if you would like to go, and you may request that they call the Avalon Centre On-Call Casual Worker to meet you at the hospital or police station. They should also refer you to Victims’ Services. See also, Avalon’s “What Happens if I call the Police?” brochure.

Help Line
Phone : 421-1188

• 24 hour a day, 7 days a week phone support
• Help with an immediate sexual assault crisis, as well as referrals for individuals dealing with past sexual assault or sexual abuse

Avalon Sexual Assault Centre provides:

• Individual counselling
• Support and therapy groups
• Court support
• Advocacy/Support/Referral
• Confidential, non-judgmental, free of charge services
• Phone: (902) 422-4240

Halifax Regional Police Victim Services

• This unit provides:
• Emotional support
• Help with police information if charges have been laid
• Referrals to programs in Halifax Regional Municipality for victims of crime
• Phone: 490-5300