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Sunrise
Program for Domestic and Sexual Assault (DASA)
In
1990 Headwaters Health Care Centre was designated as a Sexual Assault
Centre. The program was expanded to include domestic violence in 2001. The
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides annual operating funding to
run these programs.
The Sunrise Centre
Sexual Assault Treatment
Program
Neighbours, Friends & Families
The
Sunrise Centre for domestic and sexual assault
The
Sunrise Centre is located at the Headwaters Orangeville site. Survivors of
domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse can attend with their
support person and/or children, be examined, treated, and if they wish
provide a video statement to police in a quiet, non-threatening
environment. The centre was designed in consultation with local police and
community groups.
The
Sunrise Centre has its own entrance to ensure privacy.
The
Centre has an examination/treatment room that provides a non-clinical
environment with a bathroom and shower. Individual toiletries are provided
to the survivor.
The
interview room has a computer, digital camera, recording, and video
equipment to record a statement and document physical injuries should they
exist.
Should
the survivor bring children along, the Sunrise Centre has an area for
children equipped with a television, VCR, computer to play games, and a
reading area. A volunteer will be available to sit with the children while
the survivor is being examined and interviewed.
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What
is the Sexual Assault Treatment Program?
The
Sexual Assault Treatment Program (SATP) has been established at the
Headwaters Orangeville site to respond to the need of any victim of a
recent sexual assault (female/male). The SATP provides prompt,
confidential, and individualized care to victims of recent sexual
assaults. This service is provided at the Emergency Department and is
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Emergency
Services of the SATP:
Emotional
Care
A
specially trained SATP nurse will be called to assist the patient and will
provide emotional care, including crisis counselling as needed. If the
patient wishes, a friend, relative or victim assistance volunteer will be
notified and asked to stay with the patient to provide emotional support.
Medical
Care
Medical
Care will include an examination, and treatment of any physical injury as
well as preventative treatment for STDs (sexually transmitted disease) and
pregnancy, if appropriate.
Physical
Evidence
For
patients considering possible legal action, the collection of physical
evidence can be undertaken by the SATP nurse and/ or SATP physician. A kit
for forensic purposes can be completed if the assault occurred within the
last 72 to 96 hours (case dependant) or 24 hours for patients less than 13
years of age. Police will be notified by the SATP at the direction of the
patient. (Even if
you are uncertain about calling the police it is a good idea to let SATP
collect physical evidence of the assault, which will be frozen. In
this way you can change your mind later about pursuing legal action.)
Police and The Children's Aid must be notified in all cases involving
children.
Follow-up
Services of the SATP:
Information
The
patient will receive a checklist of treatment received and information on
follow-up services. Information on sexual assault issues, STD’s,
community resources, legal support services and shelters will also be
included. The SATP Social Worker will contact the patient following
treatment (with their permission) to assess the patient's emotional/
physical well-being and to discuss services available to meet their
specific needs.
Medical
Follow-Up
Patients
will be encouraged to return to their family physician or physician of
their choice for follow-up care.
Counselling
If
the patient agrees, a counselling referral will be made to Family
Transition Place (FTP) for sexual assault counselling. FTP will contact
the patient. Individuals who have not used the hospital service may also
contact FTP for counselling. Appropriate referrals will also be arranged
for age and gender specific cases, and for those people who reside outside
of this area by the program's social worker. Counselling for children will
be arranged through Dufferin Child & Family Services. The social
worker also routinely contacts patients as part of a regular follow-up.
Education
An
important function of the SATP is to provide education to professional and
community groups on medical and psychological aspects of sexual assault.
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Neighbours, Friends &
Families
Neighbours, Friends and Families is a public education campaign to
raise awareness of the signs of woman abuse so that those close to an
at-risk woman or abusive man can help. For more information visit:
http://neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca/eng/mainnew.php
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