Back To The Homepage Haldimand-Norfolk Guidelines For Responding to Women
Who Have Been Sexually Assaulted
Definition of Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault is any sexual contact without consent,* including sexual contact by a woman's intimate partner. It is estimated that one in four Canadian women will be sexually assaulted during her lifetime. Sexual assault includes unwanted kissing, fondling, oral sex, vaginal or anal intercourse, raping with an object, forcing a person to touch someone's genitals, threats of physical harm to her or someone else if she refuses sexual demands.
*Consent is voluntarily agreeing to engage in sexual activity. Under Canadian law, there is no consent when:
• it is given by someone other than the woman herself
• she is incapable of consenting, i.e. impaired by alcohol or drugs
• the accused uses their position of trust, power, or authority
• she says "no", by her words or behaviour, i.e. "I don't feel like it", crying
• her words or actions show that she does not want to continue to engage in sexual activity, ie. "I don't want to go any further", moving away from the person, etc.
Suggestions For Service Providers' Initial Contact
Identify yourself and your role; give her your business card and/or badge number.
Ask if you can talk to her about the situation.
Assure her that you understand that this is difficult for her.
Create a safe, private, and comfortable environment that facilitates communication by:
• offering her a support person of her choice
• placing yourself at eye level
• keeping your voice calm and quiet
• respecting her personal space
• where needed and available, offering an interpreter, referrals and material in her own language.
Let her control the intervention wherever possible:
• do not touch her unless invited
• find out where she would be comfortable speaking with you
• allow her to take breaks when needed.
Explain to her what will happen with the information she gives you, for example:
• information/records that may be used in court
• rights and limitations of confidentiality as required by your organization, reporting to supervisor, reporting to Children's Aid Society.
Believe her. Be careful about your preconceived ideas about a woman's reactions. Everyone reacts differently to an assault. Some women may have seemingly no response.
Validate and normalize her reactions and feelings.
Outline her choices, giving realistic and accurate information about the possible implications of each choice.
Where Help is Available
POLICE
Ontario Provincial Police 1-888-310-1122
Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Police Simcoe...............519-426-1212
Caledonia...........905-765-4481
investigation of all reports of sexual assault Dunnville............905-774-7666
transportation for medical attention, if needed
offering to call support person from H-N Women's Services and/or Victim Crisis
Assistance & Referral Service of H-N (V.C.A.R.S.) to stay with woman
laying of charges based on woman's input, if reasonable grounds exist
providing information about the status of the case
Hospitals In Haldimand-Norfolk
Simcoe: Norfolk General Hospital 519-426-0750
will collect sexual assault evidence, which can be frozen for up to
6 months to allow the woman to decide whether to involve the police
Dunnville: Haldimand War Memorial Hospital 905-774-7431
Hagersville: West Haldimand General Hospital 905-768-3311
Hospitals Outside Haldimand-Norfolk (for forensic testing, treatment and counselling)
London: St. Joseph's Hospital 519-646-6000
Brantford: General Hospital 519-752-7871
Hamilton: McMaster University Medical Centre (includes adolescents) 905-521-2100
St. Catharines: General Hospital (includes adolescents) 905-684-7271
All hospitals provide:
baseline counselling and referral information
treatment of internal or other physical injuries
testing for sexually transmitted diseases (for information about anonymous
HIV testing, call Hamilton 1-800-563-6919)
emergency contraceptive pill to prevent unwanted pregnancy
Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Health Department - Sexual Health Program
Open Monday to Friday - 8:30 - 4:30 Simcoe.....................519-426-6170
Cayuga....................905-772-3313
free emergency contraceptive pill within 72 hours of Dunnville..................905-774-6655
unprotected sex to prevent unwanted pregnancy (no prescription needed)
free medication for sexually transmitted diseases (woman must bring a doctor's prescription)
LEGAL
Crown Attorney Simcoe.....................519-426-5920 Cayuga................ ...905-772-5043
decision about prosecution of criminal offences
preparation for court by meeting with victim before trial
information about the case and the court process
application to prevent identifying evidence from being published
24 HOUR CRISIS SERVICES
Haldimand-Norfolk Women's Services 519-426-8048 1-800-265-8076 24 hour telephone information and support; anonymous calls
TTY:1-800-815-6419
accepted
information about rights and choices Website:www.hnws.on.ca
accompaniment to the hospital and/or police
Victim Crisis Assistance & Referral Service of Haldimand-Norfolk 1-800-264-6671
(V.C.A.R.S.)
referrals to V.C.A.R.S. can be made by police, fire and hospital emergency departments
short term emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime
transportation to emergency services (eg. hospital, women's shelter)
referral information for further assistance for victim
ONGOING COUNSELLING & SUPPORT
Haldimand-Norfolk Women's Services 519-426-8048
1-800-265-8076
short term and ongoing counselling or therapy, for recent or previous
assaults, including sexual abuse as a child
accompaniment to hospital, police, lawyer, court
no cost for any service
Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. 519-587-2441
905-772-3418 1-800-265-8087
counselling for adults experiencing personal and/or relationship
difficulties
counselling can address sexual assault issues when identified
The Children's Aid Society of Haldimand-Norfolk 519-426-4290
1-888-CAS-KIDS
requests for shelter considered for childhood sexual assault on a
case by case basis with a service agreement (16-17 year olds)
adolescent group treatment services for childhood sexual assault
Adult Mental Health Services of Haldimand-Norfolk
Simcoe.....................519-426-8760
Hagersville...............905-768-1101
counselling for any adult with an identified mental health
issue, e.g. depression, anxiety
MISCELLANEOUS
Criminal Injuries Compensation Board 1-800-372-7463
1-416-326-2900
financial compensation for victims of crime (eg. medical costs, lost wages,
pain & suffering, child support for pregnancy by rape)
Common Behaviours And Reactions to Sexual Assault
Since we all cope with emotions in a variety of ways, it is impossible to predict the many behaviours of a woman who has been sexually assaulted. There is no typical response. Whatever the woman's response to the assault, understand that it serves a function in helping her temporarily cope with a traumatic event. Also, current assaults can trigger feelings from any previous assaults or childhood sexual abuse. This may intensify her current reaction. Regardless of her reaction it is important to:
believe her
remember society's tendency to blame women for being victims of sexual violence
give her "A Guide to Sexual Assault Services in Haldimand-Norfolk".
| Common Behaviours & Reactions | Service Provider Responses |
| Lack of Emotion
She may seem indifferent, detached or have flat affect. This is a way of protecting herself from overwhelming feelings. While shock is a common first response to an assault, it may also last for years. |
•Accept her need to not show her feelings. •Respond as you would to any other trauma victim. |
| Seemingly Inappropriate Reactions
She may be laughing, giggling, or attempting to control things that don't seem to matter. These are defences from feelings which she is not yet able to manage. |
•Normalize her behaviour. •Don't assume she has not been harmed by the assault. •Examine your stereotypes about how victims react. •Be patient even though her response is not what you expected. |
| Minimization or Denial
She may trivialize or question if what happened was an assault. This is a common coping strategy which can be an immediate response or one that lasts for years. |
•Provide her with information about what constitutes sexual assault. •Take the assault seriously, even if she does not. •Respond as you would to any other trauma victim. |
| Hostile Behaviours
She may display intense hostility towards an entire gender or ethnic group of the perpetrator. It may have been too dangerous for her to express her anger or fight back during the assault, therefore anger may erupt later towards the service provider. |
•Validate her intense feelings. •Don't take it personally. •Stay calm. •Explain the reasons for your questions, actions and interventions. •Assure her that she has the right to be angry at the offender. |
| Guilt and Self-Blame
She may make comments such as "I shouldn't have gone there", or "I shouldn't have worn that". These coping strategies may serve various functions including reducing feelings of fear or expressing anger by directing it onto herself. |
•Assure her that she is not responsible for the assault. •Inform her that sexual assault is a crime. •Tell her that many women feel guilty, because society tends to blame women for being victims of sexual violence. |
| Generalized Fear
She may experience hyper vigilance, nightmares or fear of being alone. This intense fear may continue even in seemingly safe situations. These feelings usually subside over time. |
•Help her identify ways to feel safe. •Validate her reaction as a normal response to trauma and violence against women. |
| Sadness
Crying is often the expected response following an assault. However, until she is ready and feeling safe to do so she may not cry to release her feelings of sadness. |
•Let her cry. •Validate her feelings of sadness. •Help her identify ways she could comfort herself. •Don't physically comfort her unless she invites you to do so. |
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