Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre

Adult/Adolescent Sexual Assault

Various medical, forensic, and counseling services are available to document, address, and treat physical concerns arising from a recent sexual assault.

Pediatric Sexual Assault or Abuse

Children under the age of 12 years old presenting in the Emergency Department at SHN will be referred to the SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect) program at SickKids Hospital.

Domestic Violence

Services are available for individuals aged 16 and above who have experienced intimate partner violence (recent injuries as a result of domestic violence from an intimate partner/past intimate relationship). These services can be accessed either by visiting the Emergency Department at any of our sites (Birchmount, General, Centenary) or by scheduling an appointment.

These may include:

• Documentation and treatment of injuries, which may involve photography.
• Safety planning assistance.
• Referral to outpatient counseling services.
• Referrals to relevant community agencies.

We prioritize the safety, privacy, and physical comfort of our clients within our private treatment area.

Assessment of patients’ emotional trauma is conducted, and appropriate referrals and consultations are made accordingly. Risk assessments and safety planning are provided, either immediately or during follow-up counseling appointments. This may include information on community agencies such as shelters, legal services, police information, and safety planning.

The medical needs of survivors are assessed and triaged by our Emergency staff or appropriate healthcare providers. A baseline pregnancy test is administered to all women if indicated, and prophylactic medication for pregnancy prevention is offered when appropriate. Discussions regarding the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are conducted. Baseline STI testing and medications for the prevention of Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are offered and provided as appropriate.

Details of prophylaxis offered when indicated:

• Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (for possible Hepatitis B exposure)
• Hepatitis B vaccine (for possible Hepatitis B exposure and to protect against future exposures)
• Levonorgestrel 150ug (emergency contraceptive pill to prevent pregnancy)
• Dimenhydrinate (to prevent nausea)
• Tetanus vaccine (protects against Tetanus for 10 years)
• Azithromycin 1 gram by mouth (to prevent Chlamydia)
• Ceftriaxone 250 mg intramuscularly (to prevent Gonorrhea)
• HIV post exposure treatment regimen (28 days)

If you prefer, anonymous HIV testing can be done at your local Public Health Department.

Documentation and evidence collection

Survivors are provided with an explanation of the forensic options, which include:

• The collection and transfer of forensic evidence to the police with your consent.
• The collection and temporary storage of forensic evidence at the hospital until your decision about reporting to the police (evidence is stored for up to 6 months).
• Reporting the assault to the police without collecting forensic evidence.No forensic evidence collection and no report to police; if you decided to report the assault to the police at a later time, you must let the police know which of our hospitals your kit is being stored at (Centenary/Birchmount/General).

Sexual Assault Clients

The Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK), designed by the Centre of Forensic Sciences, is utilized for collecting forensic evidence within twelve days following a sexual assault.

Forensic documentation is completed using the forms provided in the SAEK. When applicable, photo-documentation and body-map diagrams of injuries are included.

Procedures are adhered to meticulously to prevent contamination of evidence.

Domestic Violence Clients

Forensic evidence, including clothing and other items, will be meticulously collected and documented based on the provided history.

The Domestic Violence Documentation Tool will be utilized for forensic documentation.

Photo-documentation and body-map diagrams of injuries will be conducted as necessary.

Survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic violence have access to a variety of follow-up services, which may include:

• Re-documentation of injuries (may include photography)
• Care related to medication and/or results of testing
• Safety planning
• Referral to social service agencies within the community
• Referrals to specialized out-patient counselling services

A registered nurse will contact you, typically within 72 hours of your initial visit, to arrange follow-up counselling and support. You will provide:

• A telephone number where you can be reached
• Whether it is safe to leave a message

Follow-up medical care

We advise scheduling the following appointments at one of our hospitals the Birchmount Site, with your current healthcare provider, or at a medical clinic to ensure both your emotional and physical well-being.

Below is the timeline for these follow-up appointments:

• 2-4 days to re-assess and/or redocument injuries
• 2 weeks and/or 6 weeks for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and/or pregnancy testing
• 4-6 weeks and 4 months for HIV and Syphilis testing

Counseling support

Continuing counseling services are provided by Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) through a team of counselors specializing in trauma-based therapy. SCHC is committed to supporting the well-being of Scarborough residents by addressing various health dimensions such as physical, mental, social, financial, and environmental, especially for those encountering obstacles to maintaining good health.

Referrals will be made by your nurse in-hospital, at the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre.

We accept self referrals. If you wish to contact the SCHC directly call 416-847-4144.

Physicians can refer survivors to external community resources if they believe it is necessary to their care. See “Additional Resources” tab.

General Hospital: 416-438-2911
Birchmount Hospial: 416-495-2400
Centenary Hospital: 416-284-8131

Birchmount Hospital: 416-495-2555

416-808-2222

This is a non-emergency line. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

416-495-2891

Crisis programs support individuals in crisis and provide continued service based on urgency, so they are able to remain in their homes rather than in hospital. These crisis programs are available for individuals currently accessing mental health care services, as well as those requiring mental health care services for the first time. The crisis programs are fully integrated and coordinated with the hospital’s Mental Health program and the broader mental health care system.

416-863-0511

The Assaulted Women’s Helpline provides crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information, and referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year on our telephone and TTY crisis line. Our free, confidential, and anonymous support is available in 200+ languages.

416-597-8808

Talk with a crisis counselor today. Verified global support for anxiety, depression, suicide prevention, domestic violence, sexual abuse and more

416-808-7066

Victim Services Toronto provides immediate, confidential support for any person who has experienced crime or sudden tragedy 24/7.

647-838-6673

Trained Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates and supervisory staff provide assistance to victims in crisis through safety planning, emotional support and/or immediate connections to emergency services through our network of trained service provider and law enforcement partners.

Toronto: 416-924-4646
Toronto Catholic: 416-395-1500
Durham: 905-433-1551

416-638-7800

416-338-4766

If you are in need of emergency shelter space, please call the City of Toronto’s Central Intake line.

Aurora: 1-800-263-1944

Crisis services and transitional support to women who have experienced domestic violence and their children * services include: crisis phone, emergency shelter, crisis and short term supportive counselling in individual and group formats, information and referral services, legal information and support, advocacy and practical assistance.

Jackson’s Point: 905-722-3220

Emergency shelter and 24 hour crisis line and crisis intervention, including support, counselling, advocacy, information and referral, legal information and court support, women’s groups including transition support program, and Let’s Talk children’s groups; also second stage housing and outreach programs.

• Capacity: 30 people
• Multicultural focus
• Public education available

Newmarket: 905-898-1658

Blue Door: Porter Place Emergency Housing for Men Shelters and Emergency Housing.

Youth Blue Door’s emergency housing services for youth offers a supportive environment for individuals aged between 16 and 26. East Gwillimbury.

905-898-1015

Ajax: 1-866-437-4066

A 30-bed shelter for women and children leaving abusive relationships. Offers crisis intervention counselling, emergency shelter, a transitional housing program, outreach programs and child and family programs.

Serves the Durham/Clarington Regions, which includes Ajax, Bowmanville, Brooklin, Courtice, Oshawa, Newcastle, Pickering, and Whitby.

Oshawa: 905-576-2997

Emergency Shelter for abused women and children, transitional supports and longer term counselling available.

Bowmanville: 1-800-338-3397

Bethesda House has evolved from a small shelter for abused women and their children to a well-known and respected agency providing a comprehensive system of professional supports to diverse individuals dealing with all types of abuse and gender-based violence including, but not limited to intimate partner violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, familial abuse, cultural violence, and elder abuse.

Whitby: 905-655-0424

Helps women and their children transition from experiencing homeless and marginalization to safety and peace.

Shoniker Clinic is located on the same grounds as our Centenary hospital. This clinic is staffed by a multi-professional team, specializing in assessment and treatment services for young people with significant mental health problems.

Learn more.

416-438-3697, ext. 19055

An adolescent mental health and addictions centre, providing a range of services to youth, up to 29 years of age and their families who live in East Toronto.

416-921-1163

Individual, couple and family counselling, and wellness programs.

• Counselling for incest and assault victims, survivors and partners of survivors.
• Anger management,
• Walk-In Clinic.

416-586-9777

Counseling and educational programs for those seeking support in dealing with relationships and family problems, parenting, depression, anxiety, job loss, separation, divorce and new relationships, sexual abuse and childhood trauma, life transitions and other issues.

• Social reform, public education and advocacy
• Member agency for Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (Central region).

1-855-424-4400

We work to prevent child abuse and violence through awareness and education. Under one roof, we collaborate with police, child protection, medical, and mental health agencies to provide an individualized and child-friendly response for every child who has experienced abuse.

416-439-7111

Resource centre for women providing information and referral, educational courses and workshops, professional counselling, trained volunteer mentor and tutors, outreach.

416-644-3536

Sexual health clinic. Health professionals test for and treat sexually transmitted infections.

• Family planning services
• Birth control counseling
• Low-cost or free birth control
• Pregnancy testing and counseling
• HIV testing

Online Community. Accessible to many we provide a platform for peer to peer support. Offers online support by providing self-help courses and ‘wall guides’.

Learn more.

416-847-4144

416-392-3135

416-392-3135

416-323-9149

1-800-668-8258

416-314-2447

416-327-5990