Sexual Assault
& What to Do After

Sexual assault is any sexual contact without consent. It can involve touching, kissing, oral sex, or penetration, and it can be committed by a stranger, a date, a friend, a coworker, a family member, or a spouse. Most sexual assaults are committed by someone the survivor knows. Whatever happened, it was not your fault.

This page explains consent, your options for medical care, and how reporting works in BC. If the assault happened within an ongoing relationship, the signs of domestic abuse and signs of reproductive abuse pages may also help.

What Consent Means

In Canada, consent means voluntarily agreeing to each sexual activity at the time it happens.

• Consent must be given freely. Agreement gained through threats, pressure, or abuse of trust or authority is not consent.
• A person cannot consent if they are unconscious, asleep, or too intoxicated to understand or choose.
• Silence, not resisting, or freezing is not consent.
• Agreeing to one act is not agreeing to another, and agreeing to sex with a condom is not agreeing to sex without one.
• Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and past consent does not mean consent now.
• Being married or in a relationship does not mean consent. Sexual assault of a spouse has been a crime in Canada since 1983.

Many survivors freeze during an assault. Freezing is an automatic survival response, not a sign that you wanted it or failed to protect yourself.

Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

Alcohol is the substance most often involved in sexual assault, and some people are also given drugs without their knowledge. Signs can include feeling far more intoxicated than expected, gaps in memory, waking up confused, or physical signs of sexual contact you do not remember. If you suspect this, seek medical care quickly, since some substances leave the body within hours. Being intoxicated never makes an assault your fault.

What to Do After a Sexual Assault

• Get to a safe place and, if you can, reach out to someone you trust.
• Get medical care as soon as possible, even if you have no visible injuries. Medication to prevent HIV works best when started within 72 hours, and emergency contraception works best the sooner it is taken.
• If you might want evidence collected, try not to shower, change, or throw away clothing before the exam. If you already have, you can still go. Bring the clothing in a paper bag.
• When you are able, write down what you remember, including times, places, and names.
• Call a crisis line or victim services for support, even if you are not sure what you want to do.

Medical Care and Forensic Exams in BC

Specialized sexual assault teams at some BC hospitals and clinics provide free, confidential care. In the Vancouver area, the Vancouver Coastal Health Sexual Assault Service at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital sees people of all genders aged 13 and older, and you do not need a care card, ID, or BC residency. For children 14 and under, call 911 or go to BC Children’s Hospital where possible. Not every hospital has a specialized team, so VictimLinkBC or a sexual assault centre can tell you where to go.

You can choose:

• Medical care only, such as treatment of injuries, STI testing and medication, and emergency contraception
• Medical care plus evidence collection, with the evidence stored while you decide whether to report
• Medical care plus evidence collection that is given to police

A forensic exam can be done up to seven days after a sexual assault. You can agree to all of it, part of it, or none of it, and you can stop at any time. If you are not ready to report, the Vancouver Coastal Health Sexual Assault Service stores evidence for one year. Other programs vary, and not all can store evidence, so ask the team when you arrive. In the Vancouver area, Salal can send a support worker to be with you at the hospital.

Reporting Options in BC

• Report to police. You can report directly, with or without a support worker. There is no time limit for reporting a sexual assault to police in Canada.
• Third party reporting. If you are 19 or older, a community-based victim service program can report the assault to police for you without sharing your name. This is called third party reporting, and VictimLinkBC can connect you to a program that offers it.
• Not reporting. This is a valid choice. You can still get medical care, counselling, and support.
• Civil claims. In BC, there is no limitation period for civil claims based on sexual misconduct, so a survivor can sue at any time, including adults who were abused as children.

Victim services workers can explain each option and go with you to appointments. BC’s Crime Victim Assistance Program may help with counselling and other costs. For a sexual assault, there is no deadline for a survivor to apply, and you do not need to wait for charges or a conviction.

Male Survivors and Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse

People of every gender are sexually assaulted. Men and boys may face extra shame or fear of not being believed, and some services are only for women. VictimLinkBC and hospital sexual assault services support people of all genders.

Adults who were sexually abused as children often carry the effects for years before telling anyone. Delayed disclosure is common and does not make the abuse any less real. There is no time limit on criminal charges for sexual offences in Canada, and trauma-focused therapy can help at any age. The psychological impact of abuse page explains common long-term effects.

Common Questions About Sexual Assault

Was it sexual assault if I did not fight back or say no?

It can be. Consent must be freely given, and not resisting, staying silent, or freezing is not consent. Many survivors freeze because the body automatically shuts down under threat.

Can my spouse or partner sexually assault me?

Yes. Being married or in a relationship does not mean consent. Sexual assault of a spouse has been a crime in Canada since 1983, and forced or pressured sex in a relationship is also a form of domestic abuse.

How long after a sexual assault can I get a forensic exam in BC?

A forensic exam can be done up to seven days after the assault. Medical care, including STI testing and treatment, is still available after that. Medication to prevent HIV works best within 72 hours, so try to get care as early as you can.

Do I have to report a sexual assault to police to get a forensic exam?

No. You can have medical care only, or have evidence collected and stored while you decide. The Vancouver Coastal Health Sexual Assault Service stores evidence for one year. Storage varies between programs, and some cannot store evidence, so ask the team.

Is there a time limit to report a sexual assault in Canada?

No. There is no time limit for police to investigate or lay charges for sexual assault. In BC, there is also no limitation period for civil claims based on sexual misconduct.

What is third party reporting of sexual assault in BC?

Third party reporting lets survivors aged 19 and older have a community-based victim service program report a sexual assault to police without sharing the survivor’s name. Police can still use the information to spot patterns. VictimLinkBC can connect you to a program that offers it.

Is it still sexual assault if I was drinking or using drugs?

Yes. A person who is too intoxicated to understand or choose cannot consent, and it is never your fault. You can still get medical care and report, and staff will focus on your health and safety.

Can men be sexually assaulted?

Yes. People of every gender can be sexually assaulted, by people of any gender. VictimLinkBC and hospital sexual assault services support all genders.

How can therapy help after a sexual assault?

Therapy can help with trauma symptoms, sleep, self-blame, trust, and intimacy. Approaches such as cognitive processing therapy and EMDR have strong research support for trauma symptoms. Pacific Maple Psych Centre offers trauma-informed individual therapy in Vancouver and virtually across BC.

Last reviewed: October 2026