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The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre is a program of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, also affiliated with the Ontario Network for Sexual Assault.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is any form of sexual activity with another person without their consent.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is abuse by an intimate partner, and may include physical assault, and emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. It can include threats to harm children, other family members, pets and property. The violence is used to intimidate, humiliate or frighten, or to make you powerless. Domestic violence may include a single act of abuse. It may also include a number of acts that may appear minor or trivial when viewed alone, but collectively form a pattern that amounts to abuse.

Both Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence are criminal acts.

If you or anyone you know are involved in a relationship where abuse is occurring, we are here to help.

The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre (SA/DVTC)

The SA/DVTC is an individualized 24-hour service available to victims and survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic violence. The program provides emergency medical and psycho-social treatment as well as follow-up care, by specially trained nurses.

The care that we provide is totally patient centred and focuses on choices made by the victim/survivor.

Domestic violence and sexual assault survivors who present to the hospital for treatment will be registered as emergency department patients and provided care with a minimum of delay, by a duty nursing/medical staff and the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Nurse(SA/DV).

An on-call nurse is called in for acute cases of sexual assault and domestic violence. For non-acute cases, an appointment is made with the follow-up nurse.

The initial emergency department care will be provided only with the patient’s informed consent. This initial care may include all or part of the following:

• Treatment of injuries
• Treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and pregnancy post assault
• Reassurance and emotional support
• Collection of forensic evidence including photographs
• Risk assessment and safety planning
• Referral for medical follow-up
• Referral to social worker
• Referral to shelter, and/or other relevant community resources
• Police involvement

Follow-up is available. Should that choice be made, contact will be through the Victim Treatment Centre (VTC) follow-up nurse. Patient registration for follow-up is done through the VTC. The follow-up may include:

• Reassessment of injuries
• Further consideration of safety
• Continuing treatment and monitoring of STI’s
• Further photographs
• Appropriate referral(s)

Domestic Violence

Is your partner…

• Calling you names, putting you down, insulting you, ridiculing or isolating you?
• Slapping, punching, kicking or biting you?
• Threatening to harm you, the children, your pets or belongings?
• Threatening you with a weapon?
• Threatening suicide?
• Forcing you to have sex, withholding sex as a punishment?
• Not allowing you to work?
• Not allowing you access to family income, forcing you to beg for money, giving you an allowance, withholding money, and not providing the necessities of life?

Facts About Sexual Assault

• It is important to realize that you are NOT to blame.
• Sexual assault is a traumatic event that can be disruptive to your life. It helps to talk to people.
• You may have trouble eating, sleeping and concentrating. You may feel anxious about sexual matters.
• It is not unusual to feel isolated, helpless and angry, as well as fearful and out of control. You may experience guilt, but you are NOT to blame.
• Parents, spouses, and friends will react to your experience. Some of their reactions may be worrisome to you.
• Medical and counselling services are available to you, your family, and friends.

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