HAWKESBURY – The Hawkesbury & District General Hospital (HGH) recently obtained funding from the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to launch a new Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program. The program will ensure that victims of sexual violence have access to a range of specialized services and supports, in their community.

The program will address the medical, psychological, social, forensic and legal needs of individuals in the Prescott-Russell region who were sexually assaulted or victims of domestic abuse. The Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program will also include services for seniors who are victims of elder abuse. The program is currently in its development phase and will be fully operational at HGH Emergency Department in early 2017.

In addition to providing funding for the new service within HGH’s Emergency Department (roughly $221,000 in 2016-17 and approximately $333,000 annually starting in 2017-18), the Champlain LHIN was also a key partner in helping to plan the program.

The project is the result of a collaborative effort of more than 34 community partners, including the Prescott-Russell Coalition to End Violence towards Women. All partners have identified a gap in services as a critical issue in the care and treatment of sexual violence and partner abuse victims. With the capacity to provide rapid 24/7 specialized services in an environment that will ensure the victims’ dignity, confidentiality and security, the project will effectively close that gap. It will also ease the coordination of care and follow-ups for individuals reintegrating into their communities.

Facts

• Victims of sexual assault, partner abuse and elder abuse arriving at HGH Emergency Department will be directed to a specialized quality service that will assure their dignity, confidentiality and security.
• In Ontario, there are 35 hospital-based Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres that provide services and medico-legal care for women, men and children victims of sexual violence. Residents of Prescott-Russell will now have access to such services in their own community and in the language of their choice.
• The Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program will be strengthened by collaborative working relationships with community health partners and other sectors, including police and criminal justice.
• The program will offer services to men, women, transgendered people as well as elderly people.
• Program staff will receive specialized training on the delivery of acute trauma therapy and meeting the needs of Indigenous people.

Quotes

“The development and implementation of a Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program at HGH is critical to ensure that individuals who experience sexual violence have access to a range of specialized services and supports, close to home. It really focuses on the victims’ immediate needs and will bring together the strengths of our community partners to better help our patients.”
-Marc LeBoutillier
CEO, Hawkesbury & District General Hospital

“One of the LHIN’s main priorities is to improve access to health services for people across the region, whether they live in Prescott-Russell or Renfrew County or Ottawa. This much-needed program at Hawkesbury & District General Hospital helps create a more equitable health system that will deliver timely, quality care.”
-Chantale LeClerc
CEO, Champlain LHIN

“This funding once again demonstrates that Ontario is fully committed to building a society where everyone can live free of fear of sexual violence and partner abuse. We know it takes all of us to bring about change in our society and we are working to give survivors the supports they need. I am proud to support this initiative.”
-Grant Crack
MPP Glengarry-Prescott-Russell

 

Picture: Denise Picard-Stencer, Vice-President, Acute Care/Chief Nursing Executive, HGH; Chantale LeClerc, CEO, Champlain LHIN; Annie Lafortune, Executive Assistant, Office of Grant Crack, MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell; Marc LeBoutillier, CEO, HGH