Trillium Health Partners provides acute medical care (such as assessment and testing), follow-up care (such as counselling) and forensic services (involving the collection of physical evidence of the assault).
Click on the links below for more information about these services
Acute Medical Care for Survivors
Follow-Up Care for Survivors
Forensic Services
Acute Medical Care for Survivors
We assess the emotional trauma of the patients and undertake the appropriate referrals and consultations.
We will provide risk assessments and safety planning, either immediately or in follow-up counselling appointments. This may include information on community agencies such as shelter, legal services, police information and safety planning (See resources)
Survivor’s medical needs are assessed and triaged through the Emergency staff/appropriate health care provider. Baseline pregnancy test is done on all women if indicated and prophylactic medication for the prevention of pregnancy is offered when appropriate. The risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STI) are discussed. Baseline STI testing and or medications for prevention of Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are offered and as appropriate provided.
These tests can be done at Chantel’s Place or by another health care provider.
If you prefer, anonymous HIV testing can be done at your local Public Health Department. (see Resources).
Follow-Up Care for Survivors
All clients are offered follow-up care at Chantel’s Place and referred to community agencies if needed.
A range of follow-up services are available to survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic violence and may include:
- Re-documentation of injuries (may include photography)
- Care related to medication and/or results of testing
- Safety planning
- Referral to social service agencies within the community
- Referrals to specialized out-patient counselling services
- Counselling is available at the Mississauga Hospital site
- Non-offending parent(s), caregiver(s) and/or support person(s) may access limited psychoeducational counselling
Follow-up Counseling
A specially trained social worker from Chantel’s Place will contact you, typically within 72 hours of your initial visit, to arrange follow-up counselling and support.
Please note: Chantel’s Place clients who originally declined counselling may access counselling in the future by contacting our intake line.
Follow-up medical care
It is recommended that you schedule the following appointments at Chantel’s Place or with your current health care provider or a at medical clinic for your emotional and physical well-being:
- 2-4 days to re-assess and/or redocument injuries
- 2 weeks and/or 6 weeks for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and/or pregnancy testing.
- 4-6 weeks and 4 months for HIV and Syphilis testing
Please note: if you need to change or cancel your appointment, please leave a message at Chantel’s Place 905-848-7580 ext. 2548
Forensic Services
Survivors are provided with a comprehensive explanation of their forensic options, which include:
- The collection and release of forensic evidence to police with your consent
- The collection and storage of forensic evidence at the hospital pending your decision about reporting to police (evidence is stored up to 6 months) *
- Reporting the assault to police without the collection of forensic evidence.
- No forensic evidence collection and no report to police.
For Sexual Assault clients:
- The Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) as designed by the Centre of Forensic Sciences is used to collect forensic evidence up to twelve days post-sexual assault.
- Forensic documentation is done using the forms provided in the Kit.
- Photo-documentation and body-map diagrams of injuries when applicable.
- Procedures are followed to address contamination of evidence issues.
For Domestic Violence clients:
- Forensic evidence such as clothing (and other items) will be appropriately collected and documented (based on the history).
- Forensic documentation will be done using the Domestic Violence Documentation Tool.
Photo-documentation and body-map diagrams of injuries when applicable.
