Concerns about justice continue for Sask. sex assault survivors

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Survivors of sexual assault in Saskatchewan continue to struggle with the way they’re dealt with in the justice system and within other institutions, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Compiled by Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS) and Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) — with participation from a number of advisory groups, including the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) — Sexual Violence in Saskatchewan looks at who is being victimized and what happens when they seek help or justice.

The results were an at-times damning glimpse into the way the province’s institutions sometimes handle the ongoing problem.

According to statistics released during an online presentation of the report, Saskatchewan’s average for sexual assault (104 per 100,000) is double the national average of 57.91 per 100,000. Some populations are at increased risk, such as Indigenous people, those with disabilities, residents of rural and remote locations and members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.