The SARAH (Sexual Assault Recovery and Healing) Program provides support to those affected by sexual violence through the SARAH Crisis Program and SARAH Counselling and Support Program.
SARAH Crisis Program provides 24/7 support to individuals reporting a historical or recent sexual assault at RCMP detachments and emergency departments in North-Eastern Manitoba.
Third Party Reporting is a way of reporting a sexual assault to police, while the survivor remains anonymous. Survivor’s Hope staff and SARAH Crisis volunteers can assist in completing TPRs and submitting them to police on behalf of survivors.
SARAH Counselling and Support provides individual counselling and support groups to anyone 13 years of age and older, residing in the Interlake-Eastern Region of Manitoba, and has experienced teen or adult sexual violence.
provides support 24/7 to individuals reporting a historical or recent sexual assault at RCMP detachments and emergency departments in the Interlake-Eastern region of Manitoba.
SARAH Crisis Workers Provide:
- hospital accompaniment and support
- advocacy and information
- referrals to regional service providers
- assistance completing Third Party Reports
You can ask for a SARAH Worker 24/7 at these RCMP detachments or emergency departments:
- Selkirk
- Pine Falls
- Beausejour
- Pinawa
- Oakbank
- Lac du Bonnet
- Ashern
- Fisher Branch
- Lundar
If you are medical personnel or an RCMP member at a location within the Interlake-Eastern area not listed above, and would like to be able to access the SARAH Crisis program for survivors you work with, please call 204-753-5353 or e-mail executivedirector@survivors-hope.ca
Third Party Reports (TPRs) are a way of reporting a sexual assault to police, while the survivor remains anonymous. Police can use the information within the report to track trends or patterns and identify repeat offenders. Survivor’s Hope staff and SARAH Crisis volunteers can assist in completing TPRs and submitting them to police on behalf of survivors.
Third Party Reporting FAQ
Q: Is a Third Party Report the same as a police statement?
A: No. A police statement must be completed with police and your identifying information must be provided. TPRs are completed with community agencies, “third party” to police, but also cannot be used as evidence to lay charges.
Q: How much information do I have to provide in a Third Party Report?
A: As much or as little as you feel comfortable with. The document asks questions about yourself, the offender, and details of the offence. You can choose to leave blank any of these areas.
Q: What if the sexual assault happened to a person under 18?
A: If a child was assaulted, we have a duty to report this to child and family services. They will likely choose to involve police, so a TPR would not be appropriate in this case.
Q: What happens to the TPR after it is complete?
A: The staff member or SARAH Crisis volunteer will securely fax the documents to Klinic Community Health Centre in Winnipeg. Klinic will then send the information to RCMP to review. Survivor’s Hope keeps any documents containing your identifying information.
Q: Will they ever find out it was me who made the report?
A: Only if you want them to. If the RCMP would like more information about the report for an investigation, they may choose to contact Klinic regarding the file. If Klinic contacted Survivor’s Hope, we would first reach out to you and gain your consent to share your information. You are allowed to say no and if you do, your information will not be shared.
Q: Can I still decide to make a formal police statement later?
A: Absolutely. Completing a TPR does not remove any of your other options. You can choose to report directly to police in the future, if you want to.
To get connected with someone to complete a Third Party Report at a comfortable location within your community, or for more information, please call 204-753-5353 or e-mail support@survivors-hope.ca
It isn’t easy finding emotional support following a sexual assault. It is best to chose someone (family, friend, crisis worker) who can provide the following: confidentiality, unconditional support for decisions, non-judgmental attitude (this was not your fault), dependability and availability when needed, advocacy with law enforcement, social workers, forensic examiners, and lawyers.
A SARAH Worker can support a sexual assault survivor by providing the following services:
- Emotional support for the survivor and those affected by sexual assault. Those affected by sexual violence may be a family member, partner, loved one, friend or acquaintance of the survivor.
- Options regarding legal and medical involvement with emphasis on the right of the survivor to make their own choices
- Hospital accompaniment and support
- Forensic examination explanation
- Support through police statement taking
- Assistance completing Third Party Reports
- Information on sexual assault trauma and what to expect physically and emotionally following an assault
- Information on the SARAH program and connection to our SARAH Counsellors for follow-up support
- Clothing to leave the hospital or RCMP with
- Personal grooming items to use before leaving the hospital
All of our SARAH Workers receive 40 hours of training and attend monthly inservices.
The application process involves completing an application form, attending an in-person interview and providing two reference checks. The applicant must also have a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle, and be willing to travel in Interlake-Eastern Manitoba. A current Criminal Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Check (RCMP) must be presented prior to the start of training. Applicants will also be required to complete applications for a Child Abuse Registry Check and an Adult Abuse Registry Check.
To find out more about becoming a SARAH Worker view our Volunteer page or call our office at 204-753-5353.
Counselling
Ongoing counselling is available to anyone in the Interlake-Eastern Region of Manitoba who has experienced teen or adult sexual violence.
Individual Counselling:
- Available to those 13 years and older
- Available to individuals in the Interlake Eastern Region of Manitoba
- Offered in person, by phone and encrypted Google Meet
- Free, Confidential and by appointment only
Book an Appointment
If you would like to talk to a counsellor you can book an appointment by either contacting our office via phone or sending an email through our website.
To contact our office via phone – please call our office at 204-753-5353 and leave a message with your contact information. A Counsellor will contact you to set up an appointment.
To contact our office via email – please send an email to support@survivors-hope.ca. A Counsellor will contact you via email to set up an appointment.
Support Group
SARAH Support Groups are a series of educational workshops and healing/support groups. We offer sessions on various themes.
Workshop and healing/support group themes may include:
- healing/support group for survivors of sexualize violence.
- educational series for friends, family and community of those impacted by sexual violence
- education series for service workers
We offer in person sessions at locations within the communities we work in and online sessions free of charge for those 13 and older living in the Interlake Eastern Region of Manitoba. If you interested in attending an upcoming group, or for more information, please contact LP@survivors-hope.ca or call 204-753-5353.