About Us

What Is The Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC)?

We are a specialized team of doctors, nurses and counsellors.  We provide emergency medical treatment and emotional support to youth (over the age of 12), women, and men who have experienced a recent sexual assault.  Our services are confidential and free of charge.  We are able to take care of victims who have physical disabilities.  We will arrange for interpreters to help us understand individuals who have difficulty with the English language. We are on call 24 hours a day.

If you have been sexually assaulted within the past two years, you can still come and talk with one of our counsellors.  Appointments can be arranged by calling us at 416-495-2555.

Where Can I Find The Sexual Assault Care Centre?

Go to the Emergency Department of the Grace Division of The Scarborough Hospital, 3030 Birchmount Road, Scarborough, Ontario.  The hospital is at the corner of Finch Avenue and Birchmount Road.  Please visit our map and location page for directions.  You can also call us at 416-495-2555.

What Will Happen?

Our Emergency staff will take care of you and treat any injuries you may have. They will call the Sexual Assault Care Centre nurse for you.  This specially trained nurse will take you to a safe, quiet area in the hospital to care for you.  She will listen to you and explain the options available to you.  If you choose to have evidence collected, our Sexual Assault Care Centre doctor will be called in.

What Else?

Medical care can include a medical examination and treatment of any physical injuries.  You can have medication to treat sexually transmitted diseases.  Pregnancy prevention medication is also provided. We can also collect and record physical evidence if you choose to take legal action.

Collection Of Physical Evidence:

A Sexual Assault Examination Kit is used to collect medical evidence from your body and clothing to assist in legal proceedings.  This evidence can only be collected within 72 hours after the assault.  If you are not sure that you want to have the police involved, the evidence can be obtained and kept frozen at the Sexual Assault Care Centre for up to six months.  This allows you time to decide what you want to do.  We do not report a sexual assault to the police or release any information unless you request that the nurse or physician do so.

When You Leave The Hospital:

The nurse will make sure that you have information on commonly experienced thoughts and feelings and reactions to sexual assault.  You will be given some recommendations for follow-up treatment and the names of the nurse and physician who cared for you.  Information on the legal system will also be provided to you.  The Sexual Assault Care Centre nurse will call you in a few days to answer questions and help arrange any follow up care you may need.

Anonymous Third Party Report:

If you do not wish a police investigation, you may complete an Anonymous Third Party Report.  The purpose of this report is to assist the police in identifying repeat sex offenders.  The victim's name will not be used on this report.  The form can be obtained from the Sexual Assault Care Centre office.  The nurse can assist in completing this form.

Counselling Services:

Sexual assault is a terrifying experience and individuals usually experience a lot of emotions and thoughts that can cause disruptions in life.  The nurse and doctor are here to support you.  We also offer additional counselling to help reduce the effects of the trauma and help you cope.  Family and friends can also talk to us to deal with their own feelings and learn how to better support you.

Education:

An important function of the Sexual Assault Care Centre is to provide education to schools, professionals and community groups on medical, legal and emotional aspects of sexual assault.

Important Information:

It is important to remember that the victim is never at fault.  The offender is responsible for the offence.