A Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Care Centre (SA/DVCC) provides emergency service, follow-up health care and counselling to both female, male and trans survivors of recent sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

Care is available 24 hours/day and includes: crisis intervention; physical examination; documentation of injuries (including photographs); testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy; forensic evidence collection for release to police (or stored at the hospital); safety planning; and referrals for ongoing support.

Follow-up health care and counselling are also available at a SA/DVCC.

You do not need to make a report to the police to access the services of the SA/DVCC.

The Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) is a specially sealed box that contains envelopes, bottles and other containers used to collect evidence. Evidence can be collected at many different points in time, however the sooner the better. There is a greater chance of collecting physical evidence within 72 hours of the assault; however evidence may still be available up to 12 days later.

Although evidence is not absolutely necessary in a prosecution, it greatly assists the police with their investigation. Evidence is very important in any investigation; therefore, the collection of evidence in a timely manner should be considered. The likelihood of collecting evidence diminishes when reporting is delayed.

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centres in Toronto are:

Women’s College Hospital
76 Grenville Street
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1B2
416-323-6040
www.womenscollegehospital.ca/programs-and-services/sexual-assault-domestic-violence-care-centre/

Scarborough and Rouge Hospital
3030 Birchmount Road
Toronto, Ontario, M1W 3W3
416-495-2555
www.sacc.to

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Program
555 University Avenue
Room 6427 Black Wing
(416) 813-6275 (day time)
(416) 813-7500 (24 Hours)
www.sickkids.ca/scan

For further information on SA/DVCC care centres visit our Guide for Survivors of Sexual Assault, or our Community Resources Page. For more information on Sexual Assault Evidence Kits visit our Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Page.

There is no “right” way to feel. Sexual assault can cause trauma, and can result in a variety of feelings, thoughts, sensations and emotions, both during and after the incident.

Responses to highly stressful situations vary from person to person and not all people will experience the same reactions at the same level of intensity, nor for the same length of time.

However, it is important to recognize that whatever the reaction is, it is a normal human response.

There are many resources available to you after the sexual assault, during the investigation and after the trial. The people who work at these support agencies are not officers.

The TPS is here to provide assistance and support. On this site you can find further information on Community Resources available to you, sexual assault investigations, possible outcomes and the criminal court process. You can also visit our Guide for Survivors of Sexual Assault.

If the sexual assault just happened, or you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If it did not just happen, then call the main Toronto Police phone number, 416-808-2222 and a uniformed officer will attend your location.

Once dispatched to a sexual assault, the uniformed officer will:

• Upon arriving at the location of the survivor, ensure their physical and emotional needs are met and call for an ambulance if required;
• Conduct a preliminary investigation with the assistance of the survivor to find out basic details about the incident. This will happen in a private environment, if possible;
• If the survivor has special needs (e.g., interpretation, sign language, physical and other disabilities) contact the appropriate individual or agency for assistance;
• Depending on the nature of the sexual assault, the officer may ask the survivor to go to the hospital to treat injuries and to have a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) done. This kit will collect forensic evidence; and/or;
• Advise the survivor of the option of having Victim Services Toronto contacted to assist in providing immediate crisis, trauma and support services.

The TPS is here to provide assistance and support. On this site you can find further information on Community Resources available to you, sexual assault investigations, possible outcomes and the criminal court process. You can also visit our Guide for Survivors of Sexual Assault.