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The Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (VIPP) and the Voices for Women Sudbury Sexual Assault Centre (VFW) provide a diverse array of services for survivors of violence. We believe an inclusive world of shared power, where everyone lives freely without fear of violence is possible. Our trauma informed team is here to support you or your loved one in a way that is compassionate and non-judgemental. Receiving care is confidential and available with or without police involvement. We strive to ensure that everyone will have safe access to the care they need.

Sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual activity with another person without their consent. There are many forms of sexual assault, including forced kissing, grabbing, fondling, and sexual harassment.

Domestic Violence (DV), or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), involves one person asserting their power over another person in order to control or maintain control over them. What characterizes intimate partner violence is the ongoing effort to assert power and maintain control over one’s partner. The violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, intimidation/ psychological, spiritual, and financial abuse.

Child Maltreatment is all forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that result in actual or potential harm to the child's health, development, or dignity.

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Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (VIPP)

VIPP provides services at no cost for any individual impacted by sexual assault, intimate partner violence, human trafficking and child maltreatment. The program provides 24/7 on-call services for medical assessment and treatment, forensic collection of evidence, safety planning, and counselling. Your care team at VIPP consists of forensic nurses, trauma informed counsellors and physicians. Referrals can be by self-referral or on your behalf by a community agency.

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Voices for Women (VFW) - Sudbury Sexual Assault Centre

VFW is a free community-based program that provides a safe space for women (self-identified)16 years of age and older, who have experienced trauma from historical sexual violence, including human trafficking. VFW provides services to support survivors through group and individual counselling, psycho-educational workshops, safety planning, court support, and social connection. Referrals can be by self-referral or on your behalf by a community agency.

Visit our full site

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Pediatric Assessment and Referral Evaluation (PARE) clinic

When a child has experienced harm or there are suspicions of harm, they are able to receive follow up care in our PARE clinic. PARE is a specialized medical clinic for children 15 years of age or younger who have experienced sexual assault or physical abuse. PARE works closely with families and community agencies to ensure that children are receiving follow up medical care, health teaching, and safety planning.

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Supporting Health Care in the North

As part of building stronger communities in the Northeast, VIPP is available for acute consultation regarding exam support, forensic collection, counselling resources, as well as case and peer review. We also provide education and training for health care workers supporting medical treatment and forensic collection of those who how have experienced harm.

For consultation, please have the VIPP on-call nurse paged through switchboard or contact the VIPP office at 705-675-4743.

If you feel that you have been harmed and require services, you may present at the Health Sciences North (HSN) Emergency Department and ask the triage nurse to immediately have the on-call VIPP Nurse paged. The VIPP nurse will meet with you to discuss your medical treatment and forensic options. Your assessment is confidential and is available with or without police involvement.

If you are seeking Counselling Services for a recent assault, please call the program directly. Medical treatment or a referral are not necessary to engage in counselling services. Counselling services are provided for individuals, aged 12 and older, Monday to Friday at 127 Cedar Street.

If you are a family member or guardian supporting a child under the age of 12 who has been harmed, please call the VIPP program to arrange to speak with a counsellor that can help with support strategies and how to access additional resources in the community.

Please know if you have experienced harm, that it is not your fault. We believe you and are here to help. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out for support.

 

We are here to help. There is a variety of ways to make referrals for both VIPP and Voices for Women.

At VIPP, people often present to Health Sciences North Emergency Department and ask the triage nurse to speak with a VIPP nurse on-call. Alternatively, a representative from a community agency can call and request services on your behalf by calling the office directly during office hours or by having a VIPP nurse paged.

At Voices for Women, we typically received a phone calls from individuals requesting support. When you are ready and call for support, leave us a name and phone number so we can call you back. If you prefer, you can have someone call on your behalf or you can email us at VFW@hsnsudbury.ca.

Please note: It is helpful if you indicate whether or not it is safe to leave a message at the number you have provided. The display on your caller ID will show as “HSN” for both programs.

 

When you have experienced harm, often people feel alone. There are a number of services available to listen and support you. If you are in crisis or need immediate counselling support, please reach out to HSN’s crisis team at 705-675-4760.

  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1-866-863-0511
  • Ligne Fem'aide (French Language Service): 1-877-336-2433
  • Support Service for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault: 1-888-887-0015
  • Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010
  • Talk 4 Healing: a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages across Ontario: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325)
  • Good2Talk: support services for post-secondary students in Ontario: 1-866-925-5454
  • Trans Lifeline: staffed by transgender people for transgender people: 1-877-330-6366
 

If you would like more information on resources and services you can access, please explore the following links:

 

Q: How many days after my assault can I attend to have a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) completed?

A: Components of forensic evidence can be collected from the time of the assault up to 12 days; however, you can attend the hospital at any time to receive support and discuss options available to you.

 

Q: Can I shower or use the bathroom before going to the hospital?

A: It is important to remember that washing up or taking a shower can destroy potential evidence on the skins surface. Internal evidence can be collected, if you choose to shower. This is also true with using the bathroom.

 

Q: What do I bring with me to the hospital?

A: You will need the following:

  • Your health card (if you do not have one, we will still provide care for free)
  • If you are wearing the clothing you were assaulted in, bring an extra change of clothes
  • If you have changed your clothing, bring with you the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault in a paper bag, if possible.
  • If you feel comfortable, bring a supportive friend or family member

 

Q: Where do I go once I get to the hospital?

A: At Health Sciences North – attend the emergency department and register, let the triage nurse know you have been assaulted and ask to speak with the “VIPP (Violence Intervention and Prevention Program) nurse on-call”. The triage nurse will page the VIPP on-call nurse.

 

Q: What to expect during the examination at the hospital?

A: A specially trained VIPP nurse will guide you each step of the way. They will not do anything without your permission and will keep your records confidential.

The nurse will ask you what happened and will document the events that took place.

You will be given the option to have an internal exam done and have the results documented.

The nurse will collect evidence looking for the perpetrators DNA on your skin, under your fingernails, in your hair and genital area depending on the type of assault.

The VIPP nurse may also document injuries by photographing and measuring them.

Depending on the assault, you also may be asked to provide a urine sample and blood may be drawn for testing for sexually transmitted infections or potential drugs used in the assault.

All steps require your consent and you can decline any of the steps.

 

Q: What medications might I be given?

A: The most common medications that are available are:

  • Emergency contraception (commonly known as “the morning after pill”) to prevent unwanted pregnancy
  • Preventative medication for sexually transmitted infections
  • Preventative medication for HIV

 

Q: What happens to the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK)?

A: At Health Sciences North, Sexual Assault Evidence Kits can be kept for 1 year. They are stored in a manner that preserves the evidence. If you decide to report to the police, you can consent to having your SAEK released to the police as evidence. The police will then pick up the SAEK from the hospital.

 

 

Q: Has it been too long to press charges?

A: You may feel that you have no legal options available to you due the length of time that may have passed. However, this is not the case. There is no statute of limitations on sexual assault. There is no required time limit for reporting, although sooner is better than later when considering the collection of evidence.

 

Q: How do I report my assault to the police?

A: The police will not be contacted without your permission. We will support you in any decision you make, and can help you make a police report if you choose to. You can make a report to police in person or by telephone. If in Sudbury, you can report online to the Greater Sudbury Police using their online reporting system found on their website. If you are in immediate danger or it is an emergency, please call 911.

 

Q: Do you offer legal advice?

A: Our Program does not offer legal advice; however, we can help you to access an appropriate agencies to support you.

 

 

Q: What are the common trauma reactions and feelings?

A: A recent sexual assault can bring up a variety of reactions and feelings. You are a unique individual and therefore your reactions will be unique to you. Some of the feelings or reactions you may experience may include, but are certainly not limited to the following:

  • Disbelief that this has happened
  • Emotional shock or a feeling of numbness
  • Embarrassment or shame
  • Depression
  • Guilt or self-blame/blame
  • Fear
  • Anger
  • Flashbacks, nightmares, and/or night terrors
  • Anxiety
  • Dissociation
  • Unhealthy coping behaviours
 
 
Contact Us
Address

VIPP
Health Sciences North
Ramsey Lake Health Centre
South Tower, Level 1
41 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 5J1

Phone: 705-675-4743

Fax: 705-675-4781

Email: VIPP@hsnsudbury.ca

Office Hours and Counselling:
Monday to Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Medical Care and Support:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
including holidays

 
Contact Us
Address

Voices for Women
Sudbury Sexual Assault Centre
127 Cedar Street
7th Floor

Sudbury, ON P3E 1A9

Phone: 705-671-5495

Fax: 705-523-7273

Email: VFW@hsnsudbury.ca

Operation Hours:
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.