CTV News has not spoken to the victim, but Horizon and the Fredericton Police Force have confirmed details of what happened when an alleged sexual assault victim sought a rape kit in the emergency department of Dr. Everett Chalmers on the evening of August 1st. Horizon CEO Margaret Melanson said Monday that the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) was not available that night. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is in New Brunswick for a Liberal meeting, on Tuesday commented on the story, calling it “horrible” and “unacceptable”. “As hard as this story was to hear yesterday, we know there are stories like this happening all over the country,” he said. “People who are not getting the service and support they need so deeply. From people who would like to give, but are stressed and weakened in our medical systems across the country.” The NB Nurses Association agreed with that sentiment on Tuesday. President Paula Doucet said the union is “deeply saddened” that another New Brunswicker has faced a health care system collapse. “I’m sad too [sic] that the nurses at the ER Hospital Dr. Everett Chalmers were made to feel somewhat responsible for this collapse. Nurses at DECH and across NB have done their best under dire conditions of understaffing and heightened expectations for years,” she said. “Support, training, education and more professional staff would help mitigate situations like these.” While advocates say counseling and treatment services for survivors have improved in the province, the situation has shed light on the impact of continued staff shortages. “Sexual assault prevention and response in the New Brunswick report published in 2018 called for a SANE nurse to be in every ER. And there isn’t. We are nowhere near that,” said Green Party MLA and health critic Megan Mitton. Melanson told reporters there are 26 SANE nurses at five regional hospitals, and Horizon’s best practice is to have one of them on call 24/7 — but that doesn’t include rural hospitals like Sackville, Sussex or Charlotte County . “The best outcome is that it’s not just paying for the situation, that there’s real action and funding and listening to survivors,” Mitton said. “It’s no mystery what it takes.” Horizon is reviewing its policies and practices, pledging to ensure there is always a trained nurse ready in case someone needs their help. Late Monday, Prime Minister Blaine Higgs said he was also “horrified” to learn the details of the case. He said he spoke with Melanson to “emphasize that this situation needs to be addressed immediately.” “I was assured that every victim of sexual assault will get the services they need when they need them. I will be watching to make sure that is indeed the case,” he said in a statement to CTV News.
