The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program provides 24 hour/7 days a week emergency medical and nursing care, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and HIV, forensic evidence collection and documentation including the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) and forensic photography, crisis counselling, safety planning, medical and social work follow-up to individuals who have recently been sexually or domestically assaulted.

Sexual Assualt / Domestic Violence Brochure

Sexaul Assualt / Domestic Violence - Paediatric Program Brochure

The SA/DV team consists of a roster of registered and specialized nurses available 24 hours/7 days a week, a .7 social worker and a .3 follow-up nurse – both of whom may see each client within 24-72 hours of the initial crisis, a .2-.4 clerk and a manager. Dr. Karen Graham is the Program Medical Director, Dr. Richard vanWylick is the Paediatric Medical Director and Dr. Wendy Wobeser is the HIV Consultant.

The eligibility criteria includes:

• 16+ - Sexual assault = < 72 hours.
             Domestic assault within 3-4 days or if the physical injuries are still present.
• <16 - Sexual assault/abuse with no time frame

Clients are encouraged to present to the KGH Emergency Department, Hotel Dieu, or if they reside in the Napanee area, to the Lennox and Addington County General Hospital and ask for the SA/DV on-call nurse. Individuals are triaged and medically cleared and the victims are then escorted, by the SA/DV nurse, to a confidential and distinct treatment area for the exclusive use of the program.

In order to ensure consistent screening and rapid access with regional hospitals, memorandums of understanding have been negotiated with Hotel Dieu Hospital, Providence Continuing Care Mental Health Services and Lennox and Addington County General Hospital. SA/DV nurses will travel to the L&A County Hospital in order to provide services, to adults; enabling the victim to remain in their home community.

Service is co-ordinated with our community partners ensuring a continuum of care for victims of sexual and domestic violence.

The Kingston General Hospital Program is an active member of The Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres consisting of 34 centres across the province.

I invite you to contact me should you have any questions, require additional information or wish to speak with me regarding the SA/DV Program.

Donna Joyce, Manager - Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program