Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has expanded its sexual assault and domestic violence program to include five specially trained forensic nurses.
The expanded team will now provide on-site coverage at the regional hospital seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., along with on-call coverage 24 hours a day through the emergency department.
According to a media release, the changes will ensure timely access to confidential and trauma-informed care for people of all ages and genders who have experienced a recent or historical sexual assault or violence by an intimate partner.
Services offered by PRHC’s sexual assault and domestic violence team include immediate and follow-up medical care, crisis support, safety planning, assessment of injuries that may not be visible, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, and forensic evidence collection.
All care, including evidence collection or arrangements to speak with police, is guided by the patient’s consent and choice.
“Our hope, both as an (sexual assault and domestic violence) team and as members of the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, is that anyone who experiences this kind of trauma and violence knows there is a safe and compassionate place to go for care,” said Bobbi Martin-Haw, manager of PRHC’s women’s and children’s program.
“That should be true no matter where they live, what resources they have or what they have experienced.”
People who have recently experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence can access the program’s specially trained nurses through PRHC’s emergency department. If the assault occurred more than two weeks ago, an appointment can be arranged through the hospital’s Women’s Health Care Centre.
The program also provides counselling through social workers for people who have experienced sexual assault, sexual abuse, or domestic violence either recently or in the past.
A full-time domestic violence follow-up nurse is available to assist with safety planning and referrals, while the multidisciplinary team can connect patients with community, legal, and social supports.
Recent provincial funding has allowed PRHC to expand its nursing team and improve access to follow-up counselling from social workers.
PRHC’s program is one of 37 hospital-based treatment centres supported by the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres. The network works to improve access to care, clinical services, outreach, and research across the province.
The provincial funding has also supported nurse team leader positions at all 37 centres and six regional nurse clinical practice leader positions.
As a regional hub for sexual assault and domestic violence care, PRHC works with Campbellford Memorial Hospital, Haliburton Highlands Health Services, Northumberland Hills Hospital, and Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay to provide coordinated care closer to home.
The hospital’s team also works with community organizations, paramedic services, and police to raise awareness about available services.
“Regional partnerships and community outreach are essential to making sure survivors know support is available and can access care as close to home as possible,” said Candace Rosenberg, director of PRHC’s women’s and children’s program.
“By working closely with partner hospitals and community agencies, we are strengthening awareness, coordination and access to trauma-informed care across the region. Together, these efforts help to ensure that people who experience sexual assault or domestic violence can access the compassionate, high-quality care they need, when and where they need it.”
Appointments and information about counselling and follow-up services are available from PRHC’s Women’s Health Care Centre at 705-743-4132 or toll-free at 1-800-419-3111.
Survivors and health-care providers can also contact the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres’ 24-hour navigation line at 1-855-628-7238 for information about health-care options, forensic evidence collection, and the nearest treatment centre.
More information about the program and additional crisis and community resources are available on PRHC’s website.
