Celebrating 40 years of the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre (SA/DVCC)
April 11, 2024
Information collected and submitted by Heather Gardiner and SA/DVCC staff
Women’s College Hospital (WCH) has been at the forefront of women’s health and education since it opened and has continued its legacy of championing equitable access to care throughout the decades, including being a leader in sexual assault and domestic violence care since the 1980s. After the number of violent crimes was increasing in Toronto in the early 1980s, WCH met with the Metro Toronto Police, Rape Crisis Centre and Attorney General to establish the need for a care centre of this nature.
This year, the SA/DVCC celebrates its 40th anniversary and in the last forty years, the centre has amassed many milestones and achievements. To celebrate this anniversary, take a trip through the decades and see the SA/DVCC’s humble roots and how far they’ve come.
April 1983
The Proposal: “Regional Sexual Assault Treatment Clinic WCH”
WCH releases a proposal entitled “Regional Sexual Assault Treatment Clinic WCH”.
Included in the proposal: “Rational for Involvement of WCH: WCH’s reputation for innovation and progressive programs of health care for male and female patients attracts dedicated, professional medical and paramedical staff. The Hospital is located in the core of downtown Toronto. It is large enough to have modern, up-to-date equipment, yet small enough to maintain the atmosphere enabling it to live up to its motto of “To Teach…To Heal…With Special Care.”
WCH proposal is incorporated into the Support Services Committee’s final report to the Metro Toronto Task Force on Public Violence Against Women and Children.
January 1984
First SACC Coordinator appointed.
Ann Kurdyak is appointed coordinator of new SACC.
April 12, 1984
Sexual Assault Care Centre Opens
Official opening of SACC on April 12, 1984 – “Toronto’s first sexual assault care centre.”
The establishment of this type of treatment centre has been identified as a top priority by the ministry’s advisory committee on women’s health issues.
WCH plans to evaluate the SACC after one year and then is prepared to help other hospitals set up similar centres.
April 24, 1984
Immediate Uptake
In the first two weeks of its operation, the SACC treated 11 women.
1988
A new director: Mary Addison
Mary Addison was appointed as Director of the SACC in 1988, starting her 15 year leadership that would see many expansions and presenting WCH’s SACC model globally at the World Health and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics in July 1997.
1989
5 Years
Since it’s inception five years earlier, the SACC has seen 1,487 patients ranging from 13 – 86 years old. The SACC sees approximately 65 clients a month for counselling, and refers 70 others to other agencies.
1994
10 years
SACC celebrated its 10th anniversary. To acknowledge the occasion, the SACC received a commemorative plaque from June Rowlands, Mayor of Toronto.
1997
Joining the Task Force on Community Access and Equity
SACC invited to join the Task Force on Community Access and Equity of the Mega City (amalgamated Toronto).
1998
Expansion to include Domestic Violence
The Ontario Women’s Directorate funds a pilot project with 8 SA/DVTC’s (including WCH SA/DVCC) to evaluate the expansion of their mandate to include domestic violence. As such, the WCH SACC becomes the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre (SA/DVCC).
1998
Offering services in 13 languages
The SADV/CC collaborated with the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture, and Recreation to provide training for the cultural interpreter program on issues of sexual assault and domestic violence. The SA/DVCC begins to offer services to clients in 13 languages.
2006
Access to free HIV PEP
Following an HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) study conducted by Dr. Mona Loutfy the previous year, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has provides funding for an Ontario-wide universal program of care including the provision of HIV PEP medication free of charge to sexually assaulted persons at risk of HIV exposure from the assault.
2009
25 years
SADVCC celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special publication
2016
SADVCC goes mobile
To enhance access to service, the SADVCC established Memorandum of Understanding (MOU’s) to provide services to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors who present to any of the seven emergency departments in Toronto including; St. Michael’s hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto Western hospital and Toronto General hospital.
2016
SA/DVCC becomes a 24/7 service
SA/DVCC restructured the nurse staffing model from on-call to 24 on-duty. This staffing restructure increased patient access to timely care and meeting client needs.
2018
Climbing a mountain for the SA/DVCC
WCH Association of Volunteers’ fundraiser – McGuire’s Kili Climb. During the week of May 20, 2018, Robert and Marc McGuire, husband, and son of Association of Volunteers’ president Anne McGuire, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money to support the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre.
March 2020
Maintaining access to care during the global pandemic
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. During the pandemic, the SA/DVCC quickly adapted so patients could continue to access care. The SA/DVCC began providing virtual care through phone and video visits. During the entirety of the pandemic, the SA/DVCC remained open and operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2023
SA/DVCC grows
SA/DVCC enhanced their space by building another clinical room and a waiting room for patients, community partners and police officers.
2024
40 Years
The WCH SA/DVCC is currently Ontario’s largest Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre, with clinical care available 24/7 and comprehensive services for women, men, and trans people who have experienced sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
