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Trillium Health Centre's Model of Care for Assault Survivors

December 2003

Chantel Paquette was 33 years old when, one night in 1992, her boyfriend brutally beat her to death. Her body was found wrapped in a rug under a bench on her balcony. Detective Gavin Francis of the Peel Regional Police was a friend of Chantel’s. Following her death, he wanted to develop a program to help abused women so they didn’t suffer the way Chantel had suffered. He met with Trillium Health Centre’s Diane Reynolds, a Registered Nurse and former Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, and the two decided to start a project together. That project was Chantel’s Place.

Unfortunately, Chantel Paquette did not survive her assault, but what about those who do? Imagine the courage it must take for survivors of sexual or physical abuse to come to a hospital and disclose their experience of violence. Imagine what it must feel like to enter a busy Emergency Department and discuss the most intimate details of a violent experience. For most it is a daunting, if not impossible, step to take. It’s not surprising that only 6% of sexual assault survivors and only 26% of domestic violence survivors ever report the abuse.

Statistics convey the reality. One in every three females and one in every seven males will experience some form of sexual assault in their lives. Moreover, in a 1993 Statistics Canada survey of 12,000 women, 27% reported experiencing a physical assault in an intimate relationship.

Then imagine a sexual assault or domestic violence survivor who goes to the Emergency Department and is offered the services of a specially trained nurse who can provide one-on-one care in a secure and private environment. Picture a unit in a non-clinical setting, set apart from the chaos and confusion of the Emergency Department.

At Trillium, this vision became a reality when a partnership was formed between Peel Regional Police and the hospital’s regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program. With the hard work of Sargeant Francis and Trillium’s Diane Reynolds, the generous financial support of many community partners and hospital support, Chantel’s Place was opened in November 1998. This self-contained unit provides an unique environment, the first of its kind, for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

“Chantel’s Place affords survivors of violence the respect and dignity they deserve by providing them with the specialized care of a nurse in an environment that is conducive to disclosures,” says Jo-Anne Oake-Vecchiato, Systems Director for Women’s and Children’s Health.

Chantel’s Place

Chantel’s Place offers survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence the safety and security they need to talk about their concerns. Comfortable chairs, soft lighting and warm colours invite the survivor and support people into a welcoming private space. A child’s room is equipped with a television, a computer and lots of toys to play with providing a non-threatening environment for paediatric patients or for children accompanying a survivor. A non-clinical examination room is equipped with a screen for photographing injuries, forensic tools, and a privacy screen for a survivor who requires a cultural interpreter. If a survivor chooses to involve police, a separate interview room is available that may be used once the survivor has completed her medical examination. Rather than transporting a survivor to a police location, the room is set up to videotape statements.

“For those who choose to report to the police, this unit represents a seamless service to survivors of sexual and physical abuse in our community,” says Jennifer Keeler (RN), Clinical Leader, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services.

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program

Twenty-four hour service is available to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. Survivors have the option to have their injuries treated and documented, and can benefit from direct referral for counselling with a specially trained social worker. Trillium’s contractual relationship with a community-based service allows survivors of domestic violence an opportunity to understand their rights and gain information about supportive agencies.

A follow-up clinic provides a range of medical services including re-documentation of injuries, care related to medication and/or results of sexually transmitted infections testing, and two and six week check-ups.

In the past year, 117 survivors of sexual assault were treated, 204 sexual assault survivors received counseling, 40 survivors who presented with injuries incurred as a result of domestic violence were treated, and 45 survivors attended the Follow-up Clinic and were provided medical treatment and follow-up services.

Paediatric Sexual Assault Services

Last year, the Ministry of Health directed all 33 hospital-based sexual assault and domestic violence care and treatment centres to expand their service to meet the needs of the paediatric population (children under 12 years of age). Under the leadership of Dirk Huyer (MD) and Jennifer Keeler, Clinical Leader, Trillium’s paediatric sexual assault service opened on November 1, 2002.

“We are well poised to meet the needs of the community and have worked very hard to establish solid partnerships with our internal and external stakeholders, “ says Kathryn Dominey (MSW) Clinical Director, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Programs. “Our staff have specialized training in treating patients who have experienced an assault. Each nurse has taken the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner course provided by the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care and Treatment Centres.”

“What makes Trillium’s Chantel’s Place truly special is that not only do our multi-disciplinary staff have the experience to care for patients that have suffered a sexual or domestic assault, but they also have the dedication and desire to support survivors through the healing process,” concludes Kathryn Dominey.