Trail sets new standard for sexual assault survivors with paceKit initiative

The City of Trail is setting a new precedent in supporting sexual assault survivors by introducing self-collection kits. This progressive initiative offers victims the option to privately collect vital evidence in the aftermath of an assault.

Addressing this challenge was initially discussed at the monthly City of Trail Community Safety Task Force meetings, where representatives from City Council, RCMP, Trail Association for Community Living (TACL) and others meet to collaborate on solutions to issues that residents are facing.

Developed by social enterprise Fourwords Solutions in consultation with law enforcement and legal professionals, paceKit is now available to individuals over 18 years old in select B.C. cities, with Trail being the first to roll it out. Locally facilitated and funded by TACL, the kits are expected to serve the community at large, including individuals TACL already serves through its multifaceted support efforts for marginalized residents of Trail and surrounding areas.

“The process is simple and supported by our trained staff, who will be able to access the kits and space as needed,” says Sheila Adcock, contract manager for Career Development Services (governed by TACL). “You collect and complete a kit at one of our facilities, we package it up and it’s stored securely by the RCMP. Your name’s not even on it—just a number.”

Rooted in community inclusion, TACL offers employment services, specialized support and outreach initiatives and supportive housing solutions, including managing La Nina, a 25-bed shelter in Trail.

“There’s a lot of shame and blame attached to sexual assault, and individuals who may be unhoused or already dealing with a huge amount of trauma might not be in the right head space to take steps toward legal action right away,” adds Adcock. “We work with them to at least get this documented.”

Bridging the gap: innovating support systems

Sexual assault is the only violent crime not in decline, according to Statistics Canada, even with a significant portion remaining unreported. Local authorities are working toward bridging this gap by introducing the option to self-collect evidence with the support of a trained frontline support worker, providing the space and time needed to decide when—and if—to make a report.

While evidence collection with a paceKit must occur within 48 hours, this option preserves vital DNA evidence for individuals deciding whether to speak to authorities. In-hospital exams offer more comprehensive evidence collection, but the paceKit’s process was designed with chain of custody and evidence collection best practices top of mind, according to Chloe Hunt, founder of Fourwords Solutions.

“The reporting rates for sexual assault are abysmal, but that’s not the fault of those who experience it,” she says. “I’m deeply invested in bringing solutions that have worked elsewhere to Canada. Right now, the number of perpetrators held accountable is very low, so our goal is to raise those rates while also making systemic changes.”

In addition to the launch of the new paceKit, the Greater Trail RCMP has updated its protocol from storing kits at the detachment to making them immediately accessible via trained Interior Health staff at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.

“Sexual assaults often occur in the early morning or on weekends when authorities may be busy, so storing them at the hospital eliminates wait times,” says Greater Trail RCMP Sgt. Wicentowich. “We also found that many survivors weren’t ready to report assaults directly to the detachment but would go to the hospital instead. Reports made by hospital staff are eventually passed on to us, and, even without names, these third-party records help ensure credibility if survivors later choose to identify themselves.”

A community-led shift

Greater Trail RCMP statistics show a fluctuating increase in the reporting of sexual offenses over the past several years. In 2018, there were just 12 reported cases. This number steadily rose in subsequent years, with 29 cases in 2019, 31 in 2020, and 34 in 2021, before dropping to 21 in 2022. In 2023, 22 cases were reported, and the number rose to 30 in 2024. This upward trend reflects local efforts to build stronger connections with the community, fostering trust and encouraging more survivors to come forward.

“We want people to come in, report their story, and take the sexual assault kit at the hospital with a qualified person—that’s the best evidence,” says Sgt. Wicentowich. “But we understand that sometimes survivors aren’t ready to come forward to the police or a doctor. The paceKit is another option for those who want to collect evidence but aren’t ready to take further steps.”

Fiona Tymm, founder of Now What Canada, understands the difficulty in reporting trauma. She remained silent for 10 years after being drugged and raped as a 17-year-old, and is now helping others through sexual health education and consent awareness.

“How a survivor is initially treated can impact their healing journey,” she says. “The support they receive can help reduce the shame and begin their recovery.”

In rural or remote areas of B.C., where there is RCMP alignment and an organization ready to run the program locally, paceKit is a vital tool. Collected evidence is securely stored by the RCMP for approximately 80 years or until the matter goes through trial.

Hunt highlights the timeliness of the initiative, noting ongoing discussions about gender-based violence in societal discourse. With its progressive approach, she says, Trail was chosen as the ideal location to pioneer the project.

“Trail is a great community with a lot of heart,” she says. “Given its geographical location, there’s increased need for access to forensic DNA collection, and there was strong alignment between community goals and this project. We’re happy to support the city on its mission to improve services with supplements to the system for those in need.”