The Nova Scotia government faced tough questions in the legislature today about a lack of resources, funding and programs available to victims of sexual assault.

The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre in Halifax has presented a dozen reports to government over the last decade.

Each report is filled with troubling statistics, promising recommendations, and firsthand accounts from survivors.

“They’ve certainly looked at some of the reports, they’ve made comments about some of the reports, but, quite frankly, there has been no action,” said Irene Smith, executive director of the centre.

“Will the premier explain why his government has failed to act on the advice of those on the front lines?” asked Nova Scotia Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil in the legislature.

The Nova Scotia government is being pressured to do more for sexual assault victims after the death of 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons, whose family says she committed suicide after an alleged rape, followed by months of bullying.

“It takes time to build a program,” responded Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter. “You have to be able to recruit the people, you have to be able to train people, you have to be able to kind of build the system from the ground up, which is what we’re doing.”

In 2012, 388 sexual assaults were reported to police in the Halifax Regional Municipality, but many assaults are not reported.

“Going through the court system may not be an option or a desire for all victims,” says Verona Singer, victim services co-ordinator for the Halifax Regional Police. “They may just want to go through and get access to counseling and support.”

“Where the waiting comes in is the follow-up, the one-on-one counseling,” says Pamela Harrison, executive director of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia. “It’s not just the immediate care women need, it is the ongoing support.”

The Transition House of Nova Scotia offers a 24/7 crisis line for women.

“If there isn’t a sexual assault centre, it doesn’t mean there isn’t help,” says Harrison. “They can call the nearest women’s organization, whatever that might be.”

Smith says there is a six-month wait list for men and women seeking therapeutic counseling. She says the services across the province are inadequate and in some places, virtually none exist.

She hopes the recommendations will be taken seriously after today’s meeting of frontline organizations and government officials.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl