What to do if you are sexually abused

Victims of abuse should go to the Domestic Abuse Sexual Assault Centre (DASA) at York Central Hospital:

• Provides a 24/7 specialized healthcare response by a specially trained forensic nursing team.
• Consists of an acute care and follow up component.
• Supports the enhanced police investigation by collecting forensic evidence of injuries from an assault.
• Staff will attend court to testify re: injuries documented.
• Provides client education and support.

The victim should go to the hospital within 72 hours of the assault. Do not shower or bathe as that washes away evidence.

Forensic nurses will look at the nature of the current assault, look for a history of abuse, conduct a risk assessment, look at the mental/emotional health of the client, and collect forensic physical evidence that can be used in court.

The Forensic Physical Exam is a head to toe examination of the client (undressed).  Palpation and documentation of any areas of tenderness will be recorded and all injuries will be identify and recorded with a detailed description. Trace forensic evidence such as fibres, hair, swabs, DNA, will be collected.

Treatment includes forensic documentation of injuries and areas of tenderness, forensic photography of injuries (pre and post treatment), treatment of any injuries (sutures, etc), three shots of antibiotics for a sexual assault, and one shot of an HIV preventative. Recommendations will be made (medical follow up, shelter, etc), collection of forensic evidence (ripped clothing, fibres, etc) and a risk assessment followed by safety planning.  A follow up appointment will occur within 2-3 days.

If over the age of 16 DASA will not report the abuse to the police.  It is a confidential service.  They will hold on to your file for up to 6 months so you can decide if you would like to report the assault to the police.