Hummingbird turns two
As we said at the one year mark, recognizing the anniversary of Klinic programs is always bittersweet. These programs exist in response to ongoing challenges in our communities. Still, we take pride in providing supports that are effective because they are created with the community. As Hummingbird reaches its two year anniversary, we reflect on the work done during this time, including serving 1,687 people across our two sites and submitting over 100 third party reports.
In 2018, Klinic and other community-based agencies collaborated with the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) and RCMP to bring third party reporting of sexual assault to Winnipeg and some areas of Manitoba. TPRs offer survivors of sexual assault (16 years and older) the option to report details of their experience anonymously to the WPS or RCMP through a community-based agency. The third-party agency provides the information within a TPR to the police, but does not share the individual’s identifying information without the individual’s consent. Although these reports are not investigated, this important information is kept and used by police for general investigative purposes.
What makes TPRs different is that when reporting to a community-based agency like Klinic, police are not directly involved, yet a connection is made with a compassionate and trained worker. This worker not only supports the individual through the reporting process but also provides an opportunity to learn about resources available within our community.
Seven years later, Klinic’s Hummingbird program has submitted 100 third party reports to WPS on behalf of those impacted by sexual assault.
What does this mean?
• It means that 100 incidents were shared and reported that may not otherwise have been reported.
• It means that those impacted by sexual violence chose to report their assault in a way that felt most comfortable to them at that moment.
• It means that individuals who chose to make a TPR with Klinic did not have to report alone and were told that what happened was not their fault.
For some, choosing to make a third-party report was a step toward healing. Whatever an individual’s reason was or is, we want people to know that Klinic’s Hummingbird program is here and ready to support you when you are ready.
For more information on Hummingbird services, TPRs, and to find out if third party reporting is the option for you, contact our 24-hour sexual assault crisis line at (204) 786-8631 or toll free at 1-888-292-7565. You can also contact our Advocate Coordinator at (204) 784-4049 for more details.
