Geography, racism, and lack of culturally safe care, are still preventing Northern Ontario sexual assault survivors from getting justice, a recent report says.

Nationally, 83 per cent of sexual assaults go unreported, while Indigenous women experience some of the highest rates of violence in Canada, with 60 per cent experiencing physical assault, and half of that being sexual assault, says a report by She Matters.

“Getting a more in-depth understanding of the barriers survivors are facing was very illuminating,” Jacqueline Villeneuve-Ahmed, founder of She Matters, told The Sault Star.

“We’re seeing a lack of prioritization for survivors who are presenting to have an examination done. It really takes a lot of courage to do that in the first place.”

She Matters is a survivor-led organiza

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