Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program
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Overview
This program (SAPCAP) provides private and confidential trauma-sensitive medical care to any person 16 years of age and older who has experienced sexual or intimate partner violence in the greater Ottawa region.
We are a team of specialized health professionals who are available on site, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing compassionate, non-judgmental and self-empowering approach to care for all people using our services.
Since the SAPACP of The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus was established in 1994, we’ve worked with our community partners to meet the medical, emotional, social, forensic and legal needs of individuals who have suffered the consequences of sexual and/or intimate partner violence.
The SAPACP is a partner of the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centres.
Terms
What is sexual assault or sexual abuse?
Sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual activity forced upon a person without that person’s consent. It can include anything from unwanted sexual touching to forced intercourse. Usually, the person who commits the assault is someone known to the victim. Regardless of gender, anyone can be a victim of sexual assault.
What is intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Also known as domestic violence (DV) intimate partner violence is a crime in Canada. Primarily committed by men against women, intimate partner violence can be committed by women against men and occur in same sex relationships. IPV is found in all income classes, religions, races, and cultures. Intimate partner violence does not always involve physical violence. Abuse can include other forms of mistreatment and cruelty such as emotional, psychological, financial, spiritual and verbal abuse.
Services
How long do I have to wait for these services?
Once you arrive at the Civic Campus Emergency Department and request SAPACP services, your care will begin within one hour.
What about accessibility?
The program is wheelchair accessible. You can access sign language and language interpretation services, and TTY phones free of charge. Prophylactic medications are also free of charge.
SAPACP outpatient clinic
There are many short- and long-term consequences of being a victim of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Your visit may be in the form of an on-site visit, a telephone visit or a video visit, depending on your individual needs.
In addition to our 24/7 services, follow-up care in our outpatient specialty clinic provides an opportunity to screen and manage potential consequences, including:
- Management and further prescriptions of HIV-prevention medication.
- Injury assessment with physician involvement.
- Photo documentation of injuries.
- Mental health assessments with screening for depression and PTSD.
- Follow-up testing and treatment for STIs (HSV, HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis B, C and HIV).
- Referral/collaborative care with specialists (e.g., head injury clinic, orthopedics, ENT, neurology).
- Crisis intervention and community support services.
Virtual clinic visits
The Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program is adding virtual visits to increase access to care for patients. This helps those who may not feel comfortable coming into the hospital for follow-up appointments.
After an initial in-person visit, which may include medical and forensic examinations, the care team follows up virtually at:
- 48 to 72 hours.
- Four to six weeks.
- Three months.
Virtual visits are conducted through secure video conference.
Resources
Team
We are a group of trauma-informed medical professionals who work together to care for you one-on-one in a private, confidential space.
The following SAPACP dedicated health-care professionals are available to provide and advocate for your care, in addition to our 24/7 emergency care team:
Dr. Renee Bradley
Physician, Medical Director
Kaitlyn Maki, RN
Care Facilitator
Rashida Collins, SW, MSW
Social WorkerTrauma-trained Emergency Department nurses remain dedicated to your care through education, including from the Provincial Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres.
Referrals
There are several ways to be referred to SAPACP.
- You can refer yourself by contacting us.
- A medical professional or community service can fax a completed referral form to us.
If you are a medical professional who would like to refer a discharged patient, please provide safe contact information so that we can reach out to them and make an appointment.
Contact us
The Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program
613-798-5555 ext. 13770
TTY: 613-761-4140
613-761-4985
The Ottawa Hospital – Civic Campus
Emergency Department
1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4EY
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Office)
24/7 (Emergency Department)