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Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Care Centre (SA/DVCC)

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Cantre

The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre (SA/DVCC) is a comprehensive and acute service that assists individuals of all genders and gender identities over the age of 16 who are victims/survivors of sexual assault and domestic/intimate partner violence. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; no appointment necessary. Patients can be seen directly at Women’s College Hospital and can access our services for up to 30 days following a sexual assault and/or if they are experiencing or have experienced recent domestic/intimate partner violence.

Please note, Women’s College Hospital does not have an Emergency Department. If you require immediate emergency services, please visit one of our partner sites, and a member from our team will be contacted.

For information pertaining to children or youth under 16 please contact the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) program at 416-813-6275.

Contact

Women’s College Hospital
76 Grenville Street
Ground Floor (in the AACU)
Toronto, ON M5S 1B2

Phone: 416-323-6040
Fax: 416-323-6489

The SA/DVCC is open 24/7

For Patients
For Providers

Definitions

Sexual Assault is any form of sexual activity with another person without their consent. This includes forced kissing, grabbing, fondling, and attempted or completed penetration.

Includes acts used to control a person by creating fear, isolation and entrapment. Abuse can take many forms including verbal, physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual, and financial. Abuse can occur in intimate relationships regardless of gender and/or sexual identities.

Consent is the voluntary, ongoing and affirmative agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question. Submission or passivity does not constitute consent.

Consent cannot:

  • be assumed. Silence should not be interpreted as consent.
  • be given by someone who is unconscious.
  • be obtained through threats or coercion.
  • be obtained if the perpetrator abuses a position of trust, power, or authority.

Consent can be:

  • in question if the victim is intoxicated.
  • revoked at any time.

(Government of Canada, 2021)

 

Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking that involves recruiting, moving, or holding victims for sexual exploitation purposes. Sex traffickers can coerce victims into providing sexual services by force or through threats, including mental and emotional abuse and manipulation (Government of Canada, 2023).

Women’s College Hospital does not have an emergency department. If you require emergency health services, please access one of our emergency partner sites below. These sites are partner hospitals within Toronto equipped to deal with any of your emergent medical needs while also coordinating with our program staff to ensure you receive the best care possible. If you don’t require emergency health services but are unable to get to Women’s College Hospital, you may still attend the nearest partner site and one of our nurses will be called. Our clinic is a mobile program and can attend the partnering site (emergency department).

Although sexual assault and/or domestic violence can present as a medical emergency, you may not require care within an emergency department – victims/survivors can present directly to WCH for an assessment.

View this SA/DVCC Partner Emergency Department sites in google maps.

Mount Sinai Hospital

600 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5
416-596-4200

Toronto General Hospital

200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4
416-340-3111

Toronto Western Hospital

399 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8
416-603-2581

The Michael Garron Hospital (Formerly TEGH)

825 Coxwell Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 3E7
416-461-8272

St. Michael’s Hospital

30 Bond St, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8
416-360-4000

St. Joseph’s Health Care Centre

30 The Queensway, Toronto, ON M6R 1B5
416-530-6000

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5
416-480-6100

Outside of Toronto

If you are not located in Toronto and require access in another city, please review the various SA/DVTC’s in Ontario, which will direct you to the centre that is most geographically convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is recommended that you visit one of our emergency partner sites if you are experiencing any of the following:

    1. Experiencing symptoms post strangulation
    2. Injuries that may require imaging and medical assessment and treatment (X-ray, CT, suturing or surgery, etc.)
    3. Suicidal Ideation/Crisis
    4. Withdrawal management
    5. Ongoing bleeding

 

If you’re unsure of where to go, please call 416-323-6040 to be directed to a team member. Please note our program is 24/7 and we do attend our partner sites to provide sexual assault/domestic violence care. If you are not located in Toronto and require access in another city, please review the various SA/DVTC’s in Ontario, which will direct you to the centre that is most geographically convenient.

Alternatively, you may call the Navigation Line at 1-855-NAV-SADV (1-855-628-7238) and someone will be able to assist you with navigating the care.

The SA/DVCC provides acute, follow-up and counselling services to patients who access the service. A complete list of services can be found below. There is no formal referral process required for patients to access services as we accept self-referrals. Should you wish to connect a patient to our program, please refer them by contacting the SA/DVCC program at 416-323-6040. If you reach our voicemail, follow the voice prompts to ensure you are connected with a nurse. You may also contact the program should you require support or care recommendations.

If your patient requires immediate medical attention, please direct them to one of our partner sites. If the patient is not currently located in Toronto and requires access in another city, please review the various SA/DVTC’s in Ontario, which will direct them to the centre that is most geographically convenient for them. We look forward to connecting with and supporting the patient.

Patients can access our services for up to 30 days following a sexual assault and/or if they are experiencing or have experienced recent domestic/intimate partner violence. All services are voluntary. Some care options include:

    • Emotional support

    • Documentation of assault history

    • Assessment, documentation and photography (if applicable) of injuries

    • Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) collection

    • Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections

    • Emergency contraceptive options

    • Testing for drugs that may have been used to commit the assault

    • Assessment of risk and safety planning
    • Referral to community resources
    • Short-term counselling
    • Police involvement (reporting to police is your choice)

To learn more about how you can support victims/survivors of sexual assault and/or intimate partner violence please consider accessing some of the following resources:

The SA/DVCC provides acute care to individuals of all genders and gender identities over the age of 16 who are victims/survivors of sexual assault and domestic/intimate partner violence. Acute care is a healthcare term used to describe the level of medical care required to treat someone at a hospital for a short period of time. Although sexual assault and/or domestic violence (intimate partner violence) can present as a medical emergency, you may not require care within an emergency department. Victims/survivors can present directly to WCH for an assessment. However, if you do require emergency services, you may access one of our partner sites.

Patients can access our services for up to 30 days following a sexual assault and/or if they are experiencing or have experienced recent domestic/intimate partner violence. All services are voluntary. Some care options include:

    • Emotional support

    • Documentation of assault history

    • Assessment, documentation and photography (if applicable) of injuries

    • Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) collection

    • Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections

    • Emergency contraceptive options

    • Testing for drugs that may have been used to commit the assault

    • Assessment of risk and safety planning
    • Referral to community resources
    • Short-term counselling
    • Police involvement (reporting to police is your choice)

After the initial visit to the hospital, a nurse will contact you to:

    • Discuss your emotional and physical well-being following the assault

    • Discuss follow-up care with us or your healthcare provider

    • Provide support and referrals to resources you may need

You can choose to return to us for:

    • Ongoing support and resourcing

    • Pregnancy testing

    • STI testing and treatment

    • Counselling

The SA/DVCC counselling service can only be accessed by patients who come through our acute service. We do not accept community referrals – please see our care package for more support.

Legal Definitions

Currently, the law defines sexual assault as any form of sexual activity with another person without their consent.

THE NEW LAW RECOGNIZES THAT:

  • All unwanted sexual acts are assaults (penetration does not have to occur);
  • Anyone can be sexually assaulted regardless of gender identity;
  • Spouses can be charged for sexually assaulting their partner;
  • Previous sexual history and character of the complainant cannot be routinely examined in the open courtroom.

Consent is the voluntary agreement of a person to engage in sexual activity. Consent is a clearly understood agreement between two adults. It is important to remember that consent is an active choice. The law says that a child is not in a position to give consent.

Similarly, the law says that someone who is under the influence of medication, drugs and/or alcohol is not in a position to give consent.

However, a person is NOT excused for sexually violating another while under the influence of alcohol, drugs and/or medication. A person who sexually violates another while under any influence is 100 per cent responsible for their actions.

THERE IS NO CONSENT WHEN:

  • A person expresses by words, gestures, conduct or any other means, a lack of agreement to engage in sexual activity;
  • A person having consented to engage in consensual activity, expresses a lack of agreement to continue in the activity;
  • One person submits to sexual activity because the accused threatens or uses force;
  • One person submits to sexual activity because the accused threatens or uses force against a third person;
  • Lies are used to obtain consensual sexual activity;
  • A third party consents on someone’s behalf
  • A person engages in sexual activity because an accused has abused a position of trust, power and authority;
  • The accused is a blood relative;
  • One person is under 14 and the other more than two years older;
  • Both people are under 14 with less than two years between them, but the older person is in a position of trust or dependency (e.g. a babysitter);
  • One person is 14, 15, 16, 17 and the older person is in a position of trust or authority.

ACCORDING TO THE LAW, THERE ARE THREE LEVELS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES, WHICH INCREASE IN SEVERITY:

  1.  A person may be charged with sexual assault if:
    • you were forced to kiss, fondle or have sexual intercourse, or if they kissed, touched or used objects in a sexual way without your consent (no sign of physical injury or abuse)
  2. A person may be charged with sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault while threatening bodily harm to a third party or sexual assault causing bodily harm if:
    • they used or threatened to use a weapon (real or imitation);
    • they threatened to harm someone else, for instance your child;
    • they physically hurt you;
    • they were with another person or other people who also sexually assaulted you.
  3. A person may be charged with aggravated sexual assault if:
    • you were wounded, crippled, disfigured or brutally beaten;
    • your life was endangered.

(From: The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre – Public Education and Action Kit)

Some people know immediately whether they wish to involve the police or not. Some are not sure what they want to do. You may need additional information before you make this important decision.

Do not allow anyone to pressure you to decide about legal matters before you are ready. You must give yourself enough time to make the decision that is right for you.

At the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre, you have the option to store forensic evidence for one year (if you wish to have a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit completed). This is to give you the time you need to make this decision. If you decide to release the evidence kit to the police, there are nurses available to assist with this.

Remember that nothing is done without your consent; you make the decisions.

How You May Be Feeling

If you have experienced sexual violence/sexual assault/intimate partner violence, you may be surprised by your emotional reactions. You may have a range of emotional reactions or be surprised by how calm you feel. There is no right or wrong way to feel; the emotions you are experiencing are the right ones for you.

You may feel that what has happened to you is your fault. Please know that this is not the case, you do not hold any blame in this occurrence. You did not make this happen or deserve this. It is hard to think clearly when you have been subjected to trauma. You may find yourself doing things you would not expect yourself to do. This can be a confusing and overwhelming time. It takes time and energy to heal after you have been assaulted; you may not feel better right away. Be patient with yourself and give yourself the time you need to figure out how this experience has affected you.

You may find yourself experiencing a range of physical and emotional reactions, including:

  • A feeling of being lost, alone or out of touch
  • A feeling that no one understands what you have experienced or are currently experiencing
  • Feeling confused or the inability to think clearly
  • A change in eating habits and/or nausea
  • Fatigue that may be sudden or sporadic
  • Changes in your sleeping patterns
  • Headaches and tension
  • A feeling of grief and loss
  • Reliving the experience in the form of thoughts and/or flashbacks
  • A change in the way you feel about intimacy
  • A feeling of discomfort when close to or touched by others
  • An inability to trust others
  • Feelings of fear, such as a fear of being alone or going out at night
  • A feeling of being nervous or anxious

It is important to understand the emotions you are feeling are part of the healing process. These reactions can help you understand how the experience has affected you. Taking the time to understand these reactions is an important part of the recovery process. It is important to take care of yourself, to seek out support, and to get answers to any questions you may still have after reading this information.

There are also 24-hour crisis support lines offered in various languages that you can call if you need immediate or after-hours support.

(Adapted from: Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres)

The Following Suggestions May Help Improve Your Sleep

  1. Exercise during the day, preferably in the late afternoon before dinner. Aerobic exercise (20 minutes or more) is better, but 45 minutes to an hour of brisk walking is helpful.
  2. Try to keep a consistent schedule of when you go to sleep and wake up, even if you are tired in the morning.
  3. Do not try to make yourself sleep. If you are not able to fall asleep after 20-30 minutes in bed, try to engage in a relaxing activity. Return to bed when you are sleepy.
  4. Avoid heavy meals before bedtime or going to bed hungry (a small snack before bedtime may be helpful).
  5. Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.
  6. Have quiet time during the last hour or two of the day. Avoid vigorous physical or mental activity during this time.
  7. Reduce caffeine and nicotine consumption as much as possible. If you must have caffeine, have it early in the day.
  8. Develop a sleep ritual before bedtime. This is an activity or routine you do every night before you get into bed.
  9. Try to avoid napping during the day.
  10. Do not let yourself be afraid of not sleeping. Work on accepting the nights when you are unable to sleep. The less you fight, resist or fear sleeplessness the more likely it will be to go away.
  11. Talk about feelings, emotions and thoughts with a support person. They can be a friend, family member or counsellor. Getting more emotional support and expressing your feelings can help improve your sleep.

 

Be gentle with yourself. Remember that everyone’s healing journey looks different, and it is important to try these suggestions at a pace that works best for you.

  1. Find a calm and quiet space.
  2. Breathe deep breaths through your nose. This increases the air flow to your lungs and helps to reduce your heart rate and panic reaction. Exhale through your mouth.
  3. Do not try to control or fight your reactions. Accept them and let them pass, reminding yourself the panic is not dangerous and will pass.

The following suggestions are referred to as “grounding techniques”:

  1. Confide in someone and, if you feel comfortable, tell them how you feel.
  2. Move around or engage in physical activity.
  3. Focus on simple objects around you. Some people find it helpful to go through a sequence identifying five things they can see, five things they can hear and five things they can smell, and repeat the process until the panic subsides.
  4. Touch the floor and physical objects around you. These actions can help ground you when you’re experiencing intense emotions. Try planting your feet on the floor and remind yourself of the current time and date. Breathe slowly and regularly through your nose to prevent hyperventilating.
  5. Use positive self-talk along with slow breathing.
  6. Ask yourself, “What is the most supportive thing I could do for myself right now?”

Try different strategies when you feel nervous, anxious or upset. Over time, you’ll start to learn what strategies work best for you.

After a friend, family member or partner has been sexually assaulted, they may experience strong and conflicting emotions, some of which you may also experience. You may find yourself feeling:

  • angry at what has happened to your loved one;
  • helplessness and confusion as to how you can be of help to them;
  • sadness and grief;
  • discomfort in your relationship with your loved one;
  • upset and frustrated with the changes in your relationship with the assaulted person.

It is important that you know that after a person has been sexually assaulted, they may experience overwhelming emotional and physical reactions. Here are some suggestions as to how you can be supportive:

  • listen to them without judgment;
  • support their decisions;
  • help them find the resources and support they may need;
  • recognize your feelings separate from theirs;
  • realize your own limitations, take time out for self care;
  • avoid asking “why” questions and reinforce the fact that the sexual assault was not their fault;
  • be patient with them;
  • acknowledge and validate whatever they are feeling and their need to express those feelings, avoid telling them how you think they should be reacting.

(Adapted from: Sexual Assault: Information for Families by Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre and Caring for a Friend or Family Member Following Sexual Assault by Sexual Assault Program, Women’s Health Care Centre, Peterborough Regional Health Centre)

Support Programs & Resources
Internet Safety
Download the Sexual Violence Care Package
Download the Domestic Violence Care Package

24-Hour Access

416-323-6040

Our office is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. If you reach our voicemail, follow the voice prompts to ensure you are connected with a nurse.

A nurse is available 24 hours/day for emergency visits.

416-597-8808

Provides 24/7 crisis counselling over the phone. Counsellors also answer emails. Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Open to all genders. Online chat feature available.

Crisis email address: crisis@trccmcwar.ca
Regular email address: info@trccmwar.ca
Website: www.trccmwar.ca

416-863-0511

Provides 24/7 crisis counselling over the phone to women in 154 languages. AWHL is the access point for violence against women shelters.

Use of a TTY line also available for deaf women.

www.awhl.org

1-877-336-2433

Provides 24/7 over-the-phone crisis counselling for French-speaking women.

www.femaide.ca

416-408-4357

Provides 24/7 over-the-phone counselling for people in emotional distress or suicide prevention.

911

An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from a police officer, a firefighter or a paramedic. If you are Deaf, Deafened, Hard of Hearing and Speech Impaired (DHHSI), learn more about Text With 9-1-1.

https://www.tps.ca/contact/9-1-1-emergency/

 

416-808-2222

It’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 calltaker determine if you need emergency assistance.

If you know your situation is not an emergency, then call the non-emergency police phone line.

416-314-2447

Can connect you with the Victim Witness Assistance Program nearest you.

416-423-0310 or 1-866-863-0511

If you are a woman seeking shelter from situations of violence or intimate partner violence call our Crisis Line at 416-423-0310 (press ‘0’), or the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 1-866-863-0511.

416-397-5637

If you or a family you know requires shelter call Central Family Intake at 416-397-5637. Central Family Intake is the clearinghouse for family shelter beds in Toronto. They will know if we have openings and will contact us on your behalf.

1-855-NAV-SADV (628-7238)

www.sadvtreatmentcentres.ca

If you are a service provider looking for acute healthcare services following a sexual assault or domestic violence, please call this navigation line.

1-855-554-4325

Offers 24/7 help, support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, all across Ontario.

www.beendigen.com

1-800-668-6868

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French.

www.kidshelpphone.ca

1-866-887-0015

A 24/7 multilingual support service for male survivors of sexual abuse, both recent and historical.

1-877-330-6366

Trans Lifeline is a peer support and crisis hotline non-profit organization serving transgender people by offering phone support and microgrants.

www.translifeline.org

416-808-7066

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

www.victimservicestoronto.com

416-929-5200

Provides crisis support for adults living in Toronto with mental health problems. Open to all genders.

www.gersteincentre.org

1-833-900-1010

The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is a confidential, multilingual service, operating 24/7 to connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services, as well as receive tips from the public.

www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca

Additional Supports & Resources

There are also many resources that offer community specific support. If you need assistance locating a community resource, please call us at 416-323-6040 and speak to a nurse.

Ganawishkadawe —The Heart of the Fire is The Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health (GCWP-IH) is situated within Women’s College Hospital and is a place for education, clinical care and Indigenous scholarship where we are committed to the health and well-being of all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals, families, and communities across the territories.

indigenoushealth.womenscollegehospital.ca

www.yourchoice.to

Resource guide created by Toronto Police Services that provides information on sexual assault investigations, possible outcomes and the criminal court process.

Human Trafficking Survivors: Home (htsurvivors.to)

416-338-8888 (Application Support Centre) or 416-338-4766 (Central Intake)

Provides one-stop housing solutions for people looking for affordable housing in Toronto. Priority is given to those who are currently dealing with domestic violence.

www.housingconnections.ca (City of Toronto website)

416-323-9149

Provides counselling, legal information, interpreters and referral services for women who have been physically or sexually abused.

www.schliferclinic.com

416-929-3636

A 15-hour course that covers a wide variety of physical and verbal self-defence techniques and awareness and avoidance of threatening situations, and discussions on violence against women. Classes are taught by women, for women and girls.

www.wendo.ca

416-392-8623

If you are not on welfare, you are entitled to emergency assistance if your health or welfare is in danger. You can get two weeks worth of assistance before your regular application is processed and without going through the usual hoops.

416-351-3700

Offers patients from across Ontario access to a multi-disciplinary healthcare team and a variety of confidential services, including physical examination, counselling, information and referrals. The healthcare services include contraception counseling, preventive sexual health testing such as Pap smears and STI testing, pregnancy options counseling and abortion care. Driven by a commitment to inclusive and equitable healthcare for all, this clinic is proud to serve a diverse patient community.

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