Sexual assault evidence kits are not as accessible in northwestern Ontario as in other parts of the province, a new study has found , making it harder for those in marginalized communities to seek justice.

The kits, known as SAEKs, collect DNA which may be used in court to prosecute a sexual assault, explained Sydney Timmermans, the lead author of the study, titled " Not Without Judgment: Sociocultural Barriers to Accessing Sexual Assault Evidence Kits in Rural and Remote Northwestern Ontario."

They also allow convicted offenders' DNA to be entered into a national crime database, which helps identify serial offenders and prevent future assaults.

“These exams can take sometimes up to four hours to complete, and really you should be having them done with someone who has a trauma-inform

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