Advertisement

New multilingual guide available for Nova Scotians pursuing sexual assault prosecution

Click to play video: 'Nova Scotia prosecution service launches new sexual assault survivor’s guide'
Nova Scotia prosecution service launches new sexual assault survivor’s guide
WATCH: The new guide is written in plain language, and published in English, French, Arabic with a Mik'maq version on the way. Alicia Draus reports – Jun 6, 2019

For the first time in Nova Scotia, the Public Prosecution service is providing a guide to help sexual assault survivors through the legal process.

It’s called “A survivor’s Guide to Sexual Assault Prosecution.”

The brochure goes over the various stages of prosecution, to what happens after reporting an incident to police, to filing an appeal. The guide is written in plain language and is published in English, French and Arabic, with a Miꞌkmaq version on it’s way.

READ MORE: Legal services expanded for sexual assault survivors in Nova Scotia 

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Crown Attorney Alicia Kennedy says while much of the information is provided to the complainant during meetings, a take home brochure will be helpful.

“We’re often providing them with a lot of information at all once. Because of the nature of the cases, sometimes the complainant’s ability to retain that information might be impaired, just by the stress of the situation,” Kennedy said.

Story continues below advertisement

Ahead of the guide’s publication, focus groups were held so that sexual assault survivors could approve it.

“The content of this brochure has been shaped by sexual assault survivors,” said Denise Smith with the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution service.

READ MORE: Pilot project aims to change how sexual assault cases are reviewed in Regina

“They’ve had input into it’s content, into it’s design, and their input very much shaped the development of this resource, and as far as we know we’re the only prosecution service that’s accomplished this.”

The content is also being made available online and will be kept up to date with any changes to law or the process.

Sponsored content

AdChoices