I agree with Ms. Lalonde's comments. That legal certificate program was so helpful. There was quite a lot of uptake.
In terms of supports, I think it's just recognizing that for most victims of sexual violence, or really any form of gender-based violence, the vast majority—anywhere from 90% to 95%—do not report to official channels in the criminal system or other authorities. We need to make sure that folks get the support in other ways and that there are counsellors, trauma counsellors, peer support and a variety of options available for survivors who are dealing with this.
For example, we know that young people in the university or college context are more likely to talk to each other. We need to really up our bystander intervention work and teach folks how to deal with a disclosure. What do you do? How are you supporting your friend in that situation?
I think there's so much work we can do around prevention and bystander intervention and around ensuring that we have those supports so that when survivors come forward, there is actually counselling and support. Right now, in our local sexual assault centre in Hamilton, there's a six-month wait-list. When I am a survivor and I am terrified and I make that first call, I'm told that I have to wait six months to speak to someone.
I know that they try their best in the meanwhile to give support, but folks need that access. That's a difficulty.