Victoria woman creates innovative self-collection kit for sexual assault victims

A groundbreaking new option for sexual assault victims has been developed by a Victoria woman, offering individuals a private, self-administered way to collect evidence after an assault. 

It’s called ‘the paceKit,’ and it’s designed to be used in the comfort of the victim’s own space, providing them with privacy while collecting critical evidence. 

This new tool is a game-changer for those who might not feel ready to report their assault to the authorities, but still want to immediately preserve important evidence.

Developed by Chloe Hunt, founder of Fourwords Solutions, the paceKit is now available to individuals over 18-years-old in select BC cities—starting with Trail last month and now Terrace. 

To ensure it met both privacy and legal standards, Hunt worked with law enforcement, legal professionals, forensics and advocacy groups. 

The kits were inspired by similar successful self-collection initiatives in Australia, the UK, and Kenya, adapting the model to meet local needs and sensitivities.

The goal behind the paceKit

“The paceKit offers an option to those who typically would not report their assault,” said Hunt in a media release. 

“Our goal is to provide an option for evidence collection regardless of geographical location or circumstance and increase reporting particularly in rural and remote areas of the province.”

In both pilot locations (Trail and Terrace), the kits are being distributed through community-based organizations with specially trained staff who work closely with local RCMP to maintain the chain of custody. 

The kits are identified by a number rather than the victim’s name, ensuring privacy for those who may not be ready to file a formal report immediately. 

Hunt emphasized the importance of providing survivors with options, particularly in regions where access to traditional reporting methods may be limited. 

She noted that many people face barriers to reporting due to stigma, lack of resources, or simply not being ready to navigate the complex legal system.

The reality of the sexual assault reporting gap

In BC, 37% of women report being sexually assaulted since the age of 15—which is the highest rate of all the provinces in Canada.

Despite these staggering numbers, sexual assault remains one of the most underreported crimes. According to the 2019 General Social Survey, only 6% of sexual assault incidents were reported to the police. 

The paceKit aims to address this gap by empowering victims with the option to collect evidence without immediately involving the authorities.

“Few people report sexual assault and change needs to happen,” said Hunt. 

“We acknowledge the criminal justice system is not a route everyone wants to take, but we believe people should at least have the option regardless of where they live and their life experiences. Expanding access to evidence collection is just a small piece of that puzzle.”

Inspector Gillespie with Terrance RCMP echoed Hunt’s sentiments. Adding that ideally, they would like survivors to feel okay reporting it to the police and taking a kit at the hospital, but understands this isn’t always an option.

“We understand that some may not be ready to come forward to the police or a doctor, and the paceKit is another option for those who want to collect and preserve evidence but aren’t ready to move forward with a report to the police,” Gillespie said.

The paceKit is designed to be used within 48 hours of a sexual assault, and it’s also designed to be inclusive, providing a safe option for all genders. 

Some quick statistics surrounding sexual assault in BC:

• 37% of women in BC report being sexually assaulted since age 15—the highest rate in Canada
• 11% of men in BC report being sexually assaulted since age 15—also the highest rate in Canada
• Only 5% of women who experience sexual assault report it to the police, and only 9% report to victim services
• Sexual assault accounted for 11% of all criminal victimization offenses in 2019
• Sexual assault has the lowest reporting rate of any crime measured by the 2019 General Social Survey, with only 6% of incidents reported to police