Photo caption: Elaine Goulbourne, director of Clinical Resources and Performance
By: Katie Fraser
Every day in Toronto, victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence walk through our hospital doors looking for safety, dignity and hope. Investment in research at Women’s College Hospital provides valuable insight into how we can best support individuals who experience gender-based violence. Donors like HART are committed to protecting survivors through their support of Women’s College Hospital’s Anti-Trafficking Program. This work provides life-saving, trauma-informed care when it’s needed most — 24/7, free of charge and without judgment.
When it comes to abusive relationships, you often hear the question: “Why didn’t they just leave?”
The truth is, leaving is not that simple.
On average, it takes seven attempts before someone successfully leaves an abusive relationship due to hidden challenges. Beyond finding financial independence and a safe place to stay, it can be difficult to move and store one’s belongings, create a safety plan, protect dependents, and even make arrangements for pets.
Not only does the SA/DVCC provide comprehensive acute services to those who have experienced sexual assault and domestic violence, but together with community partners, they provide access and wraparound care that helps support victims and survivors to rebuild their lives.
“Patient care is complex and could include police reporting, legal supports, counselling, and specific resources that are tailored toward certain groups or cultures,” explains Elaine Goulbourne, director of Clinical Resources and Performance at WCH. “It’s important for our team to not only provide acute sexual assault/domestic violence health care but to also connect people to the community for continued long-term supports.”
WCH is part of a wide network of partners. The SA/DVCC participates in both the Sexual Assault Advisory Committee and the Domestic Violence Advisory Committee chaired by Toronto Police Services (TPS), as well as the Toronto Regional Intimate Partner Violence High Risk Committee chaired by the Ministry of the Attorney General. These committees specialize in outreach, partnerships and streamlining care for individuals who have experienced gender-based violence throughout Ontario.
One key partnership that WCH shares is with Interval House – an emergency shelter for women and children who are fleeing gender-based violence.
“Interval House was the first shelter to open in Canada,” describes Paula Del Cid, shelter services and outreach manager of Interval House. “We’re happy to be here helping women but it’s bittersweet that we’re still here – that in this day and age, the need for domestic violence services is still so prevalent.”
The SA/DVCC works with Interval House in a reciprocal manner, referring individuals to each other’s organizations and services. While WCH provides health care, documentation of assault history and collection of Sexual Assault Evidence Kits, Interval House provides emergency shelter, counselling and legal support.
“Gender-based violence is often referred to as the ‘problem next-door,’ meaning that it’s an issue at home. But we need to understand that it’s truly a community issue and the need to work together to provide compassionate comprehensive care is imperative,” says Del Cid.
In 2019, 80 per cent of people who experienced domestic violence did not report it to the police. Following an assault, it can often be intimidating or overwhelming to visit a police station. WCH and TPS are working together to support victims and survivors by creating a police-reporting room within the walls of the hospital. This one-of-a-kind space will create an environment that is more convenient and comfortable for individuals who would like to file a report with the police.
The SA/DVCC also broadens its reach by partnering with seven emergency departments throughout downtown Toronto. If an individual who has experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence visits one of these partnering emergency departments, an SA/DVCC mobile unit nurse is dispatched from WCH to support with care.
“Working with emergency departments is incredibly important because they provide access to care. If we didn’t have these partnerships, we wouldn’t be reaching and supporting the numbers of patients that we do,” shares Goulbourne. “As a team, we are able to come together and see how we can support one another.”
Photo caption: Sheila Mcdonald, director of ONSADVTC with colleague.
WCH is also home to the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centres (ONSADVTC). Providing leadership and support to 37 hospital-based sexual assault and domestic violence treatment centres across Ontario, the ONSADVTC is a unifying voice and catalyst for change in responding to the health, forensic and psycho-social needs of those who have experienced gender-based violence. The ONSADVTC works to ensure that those who have experienced gender-based violence receive the same level of care, no matter where they live.
“The Network is working to enhance support, education and services to communities that are more geographically distanced and where patients are unable to access the treatment centres. We intend to increase the use of our Provincial Navigation Line as a resource for clinicians and first responders in these communities where care may be provided locally,” says Sheila Macdonald, director of ONSADVTC.
Mobile services through the ONSADVTC are also being expanded so that programs across the province can provide trauma and violence-informed care where the victim/survivor presents, similar to how the SA/DVCC mobile unit operates out of WCH.
This year, the SA/DVCC marked its 40th anniversary. Since opening its doors, the SA/DVCC has expanded to become Ontario’s largest clinic supporting those affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. For the SA/DVCC team, this is just the beginning as they continue to expand partnerships across the province and share their expertise to ensure patients everywhere have a safe place to turn.