Peterborough Regional Health Centre Expands Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program With More Nurses

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has expanded its Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (SA/DV) team from two to five specially trained forensic nurses, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The expanded SA/DV team now provides on-site coverage at PRHC seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on-call coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Emergency Department. It gives access to confidential, trauma- and violence-informed care for survivors of all ages and genders who have experienced recent or historical sexual assault or intimate partner violence.

According to the PRHC, the SA/DV team offers immediate medical care, crisis support, safety planning, and forensic evidence collection, all guided by patient consent and choice. In addition to urgent care, PRHC offers follow‑up treatment and counselling through the Women’s Health Care Centre for individuals who have experienced violence in the past. Services include testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy; assessment of injuries, including those that may not be visible; and connections to community, legal and social supports. 

Working in partnership with local agencies, PRHC’s multidisciplinary team provides ongoing support, including access to social workers and a dedicated domestic violence follow‑up nurse, to help individuals make informed decisions and navigate their recovery at their own pace, said Bobbi Martin-Haw, Manager of PRHC’s Women’s and Children’s Program.

“Our hope, both as an SA/DV team and as members of the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, is that anyone who experiences this kind of trauma and violence knows there is a safe and compassionate place to go for care,” she said. “That should be true no matter where they live, what resources they have or what they have experienced.”

“Regional partnerships and community outreach are essential to making sure survivors know support is available and can access care as close to home as possible,” said Candace Rosenberg, Director, Women’s and Children’s Program. “By working closely with partner hospitals and community agencies, we are strengthening awareness, coordination and access to trauma-informed care across the region. Together, these efforts help to ensure that people who experience sexual assault or domestic violence can access the compassionate, high-quality care they need, when and where they need it.”

Survivors and care providers across the province can access the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres 24/7 Navigation Line for information about healthcare options, forensic evidence collection and the nearest treatment centre.

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