Dear Supporter,
I want to share a part of the criminal court system that most people do not see.
It is not the courtroom itself. It is the hours, and sometimes days, spent just outside those courtroom doors, waiting, bracing, and not knowing when your name will be called to testify to your own sexual assault.
My name is kylie, and I am a Victim Services Program Coordinator at Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre. I support many survivors through the legal process, including accompanying them to court.
Recently, I had the privilege of witnessing the strength of Maya* through this process. We had spent over two years preparing for that court day.
Maya travelled from out of town for her court date. She arrived the day before, stayed overnight in a hotel, and we met at the courthouse early the next morning.
We found a place to sit in the court hallway and began to wait, not knowing if we would be waiting for an hour or for the entire day.
As Maya and I sat there, I kept thinking about what it takes to remain in that space.
The courage to stay and the resilience to keep going through this long legal process.
And in that moment, I found myself wishing I had something tangible to offer her. I thought about a magazine she could flip through so she would not have to look up if the person who raped her walked by. I thought about a crossword puzzle she could focus on, or a stress ball she could squeeze.
Behind that door, Maya will be asked to speak about what happened. She will answer questions about something that impacted her life immensely. Then she will be cross-examined.
Eventually, Maya’s name was called, and we entered the courtroom together. Afterward, we walked and talked together. The waiting had ended, and Maya was returning to her hotel room by herself.
I wished I had something to give her.
A journal she could write in, or a colouring book she could turn to. Something simple and calming, like a bath item she could use that evening.
This is where the idea of care packages came from.
And with your support, this kind of tangible care can be possible.
A care package is a simple way to extend support beyond the moments we are physically together. It can be offered after a court day like this one, during counselling, or following a hospital visit. Each care package is intentionally put together with care, holding what a survivor might need at that moment.
Will you help make this special kind of care possible?
Your support ensures care packages are there after court, during counselling, and following medical care, offering practical and grounding support beyond our time together.
I think about Maya often. I think about what it would have meant for her to have something to reach for while she sat there, and something waiting for her when the day was over to know she was not alone.
Thank you for helping make this kind of care possible.
With Gratitude,
kylie shaw (she/her)
Victim Services Program Coordinator
Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre
P.S. There are many parts of this court process that we cannot change. But we know moments of care can make a meaningful difference. A care package is one way to extend support during and beyond our time together. Right now, every care package you support will be matched, doubling your impact.
*Thanks to a matching gift from the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation, every gift until July 31, 2026, up to a cumulative $32,500 will be matched. Doubling your impact.