LETHBRIDGE – The YWCA Lethbridge and District has launched a new project centered around victims of sexual violence.
The Amethyst Project is based on the “Third Option”, which gives victims the option of waiting for one year before deciding whether to press charges.
“If somebody reports to the hospital with a sexual assault, they have a choice of choosing to report to police, in which case they can have a sexual assault kit completed and go through the reporting process with police officers. And then, they have to navigate the criminal justice system or they can be treated medically and then leave. They have the option of getting supports privately, but there are no other supports offered at that time. Now, there is a third option that takes away a lot of stress,” adds Jennifer Lepko with the YWCA.
The YWCA says according to statistics, only 10 per cent of sexual assaults are ever reported. The Third Option ensure that evidence of the crime is preserved while giving the victim time to make a decision on pursuing charges.
The projects launch coincides with the first day of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. It wraps up on International Human Rights Day on December 10.
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