The Yukon government has received important public feedback on expanding Sexualized Assault Response Team (SART) services to rural communities.

It released a What We Heard report on the subject on Wednesday. It’s based on a summer 2023 public engagement process.

“The Government of Yukon believes that all victims of sexualized assault should have access to the supports they need, when and where they need them,” the government said in a statement.

“This report represents a milestone in the Government of Yukon’s commitment to addressing sexualized violence in rural Yukon.”

The What We Heard report reflects the voices of victims, Yukon First Nations peoples, service providers and community stakeholders.

The government said it offers “a comprehensive review of the current landscape of support services and the unique challenges faced in Yukon communities.”

The government heard of the need for:

• Increased awareness of resources and services for victims of sexualized violence.

• Access to robust cultural and land-based healing supports.

• Providing extensive training available to service providers and volunteers that is trauma- and violence-informed and culturally safe.

• More safe houses, shelters, service hubs and improved infrastructure for victims.

• Reliable transportation services among communities to access services.

• Clear policy guidance and comprehensive training to ensure standardized protocols and procedures for evidence collection kits.

SART provides a safe and confidential network of services that focus on a victim’s needs and choices.

The team offers Whitehorse-based victims a range of services that can support them after a sexual assault.

Those include access to support workers, free legal advice, counselling and medical care provided by specially trained physicians.

As well, SART operates a Yukon-wide confidential support line, staffed by trained professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week, who can help victims access emotional, medical and legal support.

The government called the expansion of SART to Yukon communities “a milestone in the implementation plan for Changing the Story to Upholding Dignity and Justice: Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ People Strategy.”

Tracy-Anne McPhee, the minister of Health and Social Services and of Justice, said the What We Heard report “is about amplifying voices and addressing the need for support in rural Yukon communities.

“This comprehensive report represents our collective effort to ensure victims of sexualized assault receive timely and culturally sensitive support,” McPhee said.

“By learning from the recommendations outlined in the report, including increasing awareness, enhancing cultural healing supports, and improving infrastructure, we aim to mitigate challenges and foster safer communities for all Yukoners.”

SART is a network of partner agencies, including McPhee’s departments, the Women and Gender Equity Directorate, the RCMP, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, the Yukon Hospital Corp. and the Yukon Women’s Transition Home.

SART first launched in 2020. It includes a 24-hour, confidential, toll-free, Yukon-wide support line for all victims and survivors of sexualized assault as well as Whitehorse-based services available to all Yukoners.

In Whitehorse, SART can connect victims to the police and to physicians who can provide post-assault medical advice or an exam, and provide free legal advice. Victims can choose which services they want to access.

Victims can confidentially contact SART at 1-844-967-7275 for support and guidance.

“I deeply appreciate the insights and recommendations from the What We Heard report, especially from victims who shared their experiences getting help,” said Jeanie McLean, the minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate.

“This report represents the voices of those affected by sexual violence in rural areas and shows progress towards better support systems.

“Our main aim is to make sure all victims of sexualized assault can access support confidently and respectfully.”

Work has begun to address previously identified issues, including a lack of awareness of what sexualized assault is and of the existing services to address it, transportation and access to training for services providers in communities.

The government and its SART partners will use the What We Heard report’s insights and recommendations, along with key findings from the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit+ People Strategy, to guide the work to refine and extend services.

The government is reviewing the communication strategy for SART.

So far, a campaign to raise awareness of sexualized assault and build a culture of consent and promote awareness of and increase access to resources for victims launched early this year.

“Online resources are being evaluated to make them easier to access and ensure victims have the information they need to empower them to make informed choices about the care and services they are seeking.” the government said.

“Options are being explored to reduce transportation barriers and enhance accessibility, including expanding financial support for transportation through agreements with transition homes in Watson Lake and Whitehorse, and possibly other community organizations.

“This will allow them to deliver funds to victims to cover travel costs such as gas, food and accommodation when accessing services or seeking safety from a perpetrator.”

The plan is to include the Dawson City women’s shelter and for these agreements to continue for the next three years.

Money has been added to the Victims of Crime Emergency Fund so that victim service workers can help with urgent travel, including food, gas or flights.

As well, work has started with community health centres to increase the capacity for trauma and violence-informed responses.