Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in several rural and remote communities now have greater access to comfort and support, thanks to donated comfort kits distributed through Island Health’s Forensic Nursing Program.
Over the past few months, comfort kits were delivered to Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Tofino, expanding availability beyond earlier sites in Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni and Duncan. The kits, donated to Island Health by the non-profit organization We’re Here for You Canada, are provided to patients receiving medical forensic exams in emergency departments following sexual or domestic assault.
The kits contain new clothing including underwear, along with toiletries and food gift cards—items that help restore dignity and a sense of control during an incredibly vulnerable time.
“These kits have become an important part of trauma-informed forensic care,” said Aimee Falkenberg, Clinical Nurse Leader for Island Health’s Forensic Nursing Program for Central and North Vancouver Island.
“With more Forensic Nurse Examiners based in Tofino, Port McNeill and Port Hardy, survivors in rural communities can access crucial support closer to home and begin their healing journey.”
We’re Here for You Canada was founded by Sarah Sherman, a survivor of domestic violence, who understands firsthand the challenges people face after fleeing abuse.
“Often survivors’ clothing is taken as evidence, and many hospitals do not have replacement clothing. When I arrived at emergency years ago, I had nothing but the pajamas I escaped in,” said Sherman. “That experience inspired me to create comfort kits that help survivors feel respected, supported and empowered after trauma.”
Island Health’s Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNEs) provide specialized medical care to individuals who have experienced violence, including sexual assault and intimate partner violence. FNEs work in hospitals, urgent care centres, and mobile on-call teams to reduce barriers to care for people living in rural and remote communities. Their training includes trauma informed, culturally and gender affirming responsive care as well as forensic evidence documentation and collection.
Survivors seeking care can choose from:
- Medical care without a forensic exam and no police report;
- Medical care with a forensic exam, with evidence securely stored for up to a year to allow time for decision-making; or
- Medical care with a forensic exam and immediate release of evidence to police, if requested.
FNEs also connect patients with community, legal, and social supports to ensure care extends beyond the examination room.
We’re Here for You Canada is a volunteer-based organization funded through community donations and grants. Its goal is to make comfort kits available in hospitals across Vancouver Island and, eventually, across Canada.