Confidentiality

If you need help and come to a Sexual Assault Care Centre, you have the right to confidentiality.

Confidentiality means that no information about you will be given out without your consent.  Your informed consent is necessary before a Sexual Assault Care Centre releases information to anyone other than hospital staff that are directly involved in your care.  When you understand and agree to give your consent, you will be asked to sign a consent form.

Yes, sometimes.  Every attempt to protect the confidentiality of your records is made, however, under the following circumstances, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

1. When there is concern that the abuse of a child (person under the age of 16) has happened or that he/she is in need of protection, professionals are obligated by law to report this to the Child Protection Services.

2. In a criminal investigation, your records may be subpoenaed by a court of law.  The judge would make a decision on whether your records would be required.

3. The staff from a Sexual Assault Care Centre are sometimes subpoenaed to give evidence in court on behalf of the victim of a sexual assault.

4. If you give information that would lead staff to believe that you will seriously harm yourself or someone else, they may break confidentiality in order to make sure people remain safe.

Staff at a Sexual Assault Care Centre are not allowed to tell your parents about the sexual assault without your permission.  You are encouraged to talk to your parents if you have been sexually assaulted.  Sexual assault is never your fault and your parents often can help you.