Network

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care and Treatment Centres (SA/DVCC) provide care to women, men and children who have been recently sexually assaulted or experienced domestic violence. There are 34 hospital-based programs in Ontario. Services include: emergency medical and nursing care, crisis intervention, forensic evidence collection, medical follow-up, and counselling.

History

Responding to the concerns expressed by community-based women's organizations, the Ministry of Health opened the first of thirty-three hospital based Sexual Assault Care Centres beginning in 1984. These Centres, located across Ontario, provide regional access and emergency care to women, men and children who have been recently sexually assaulted. In November 1999, the Network expanded the mandate to include Domestic Violence. The Domestic Violence Program is designed to assist victims/survivors of domestic violence.

Why Do We Need a SADVCC / TC?

Many victims/survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence have immediate medical, emotional and safety issues. Health concerns such as injuries, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections can be addressed and treated by the nurses and physicians at the Centres. If the client chooses to involve the police, forensic evidence can be collected at the hospital. When a client is at risk of further violence, immediate referrals to shelters can be made. Any safety concerns, as well as safety planning can be discussed with the SA/DV nurse.

The Centres are accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week. They are staffed by an on-call team of nurses and/or physicians, who provide prompt and specialized care through the emergency department.

Mandate

The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centres provide emergency care to women, men and children who present to a hospital emergency department within 72 hours of being sexually assaulted or who are victims/survivors of intimate partner abuse. The Centres work collaboratively with community agencies to provide a continuum of care accessible to survivors, recognizing that the effects of sexual and domestic violence are complex and cannot be met by any one agency. In addition to the emergency care, the Centres provide a follow-up service for clients, which includes medical care and counselling. The follow-up service varies from Centre to Centre depending how they have been funded.

Education and outreach are important components of every Centre. While service provision remains the primary focus, staff use every opportunity to educate the community and other professionals about their services and issues related to violence against women.

As health care professionals, we are obligated to report actual or suspected abuse of children and adolescents under the age of 16 to the appropriate child protection agency.

Values

Sexual and domestic assault are violent crimes that are rooted in power and control. Our care revolves around the following:

• Victims/survivors are provided with unconditional support
• During an assault, personal control and self-determination are usurped. Care is given in a non-judgemental manner and assists clients in reclaiming their autonomy by encouraging them to make decisions about their own care
• The assailant/abuser is deemed responsible for the violent behaviour
• Domestic violence and sexual assault are critical global issues that must be addressed by the health care, legal, social and political systems. Ongoing education for change is required throughout these systems.
• Continuous improvement in accessibility for all persons

We help people to:

• Receive care in privacy
• Recognize their self-worth
• Obtain information about their options
• Take their time to process information about what has happened to them
• Obtain the best possible health care by being professional in our approach, and sensitive to each person's unique needs