If you have experienced sexual assault, sexual abuse, or any form of sexual violence know that it is not your fault, and we are here to support you.
How to access the Sexual Assault/Abuse Care Program at CHEO
- • If you have experienced a sexual assault within the last 72 hours, OR you have urgent symptoms like pain, bleeding or mental health crisis, come to CHEO’s Emergency Department.
- • If you are looking for care with the SACP more than 72 hours after experiencing a sexual assault, AND you have no urgent needs (like pain, bleeding or mental health crisis) please contact the SACP to book an appointment. Please refer to our hours of operation below:
Hours of operation
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm: contact the SACP Office by phone at 613-737-7600 x2939 or by email.After hours
If you need to speak with someone urgently after hours or need immediate care, you can call CHEO's Emergency Department at 613-737-7600 x2330 and ask to speak with a SANE nurse, or request to speak with the SANE on-call by calling CHEO at 613-737-7600, extension 0.Note: If you are a community partner working with a victim/survivor, please call the SACP at the number listed above ahead of coming to the ED to coordinate care.
About the Sexual Assault/Abuse Care Program
The Sexual Assault/Abuse Care Program (SACP) is a 24/7 service operating out of CHEO's Emergency Department.
The SACP provides forensic evidence collection, medical assessment and intervention, as well as psychosocial support to children and youth who are victims/survivors of:
- sexual assault
- child sexual abuse
- sex trafficking
- intimate partner violence or dating violence
The SACP providers may also support children and youth with a history of sexual assault/abuse or trafficking with:
- sexual health education
- online safety education
- safety planning and resources
- support with reporting to law enforcement
- community partner referrals
Children and youth who access care with the SACP may also be referred to additional services at CHEO, such as:
- The Adolescent Health Clinic
- Mental health services with 1Call1Click
- Trauma counselling with SACP Social Workers
- Family-based trauma education sessions with SACP Social Workers
- The Child and Youth Protection Program
- Other services according to medical or mental health needs
Referral to additional services will be based on the provider’s assessment of each child or youth’s care needs, and the individual referral program’s care criteria.
The SACP is affiliated with the Ontario Network of Sexual Abuse/Domestic Violence Treatment Centers. More information on other similar centres across the province can be found at this link.
What to expect when accessing care with the SACP
- A head-to-toe physical exam
- Blood work
- Urine specimen collection
- Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Preventative medication for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Emergency contraceptive medication (e.g., Plan B)
- Treatment of injuries
- Psychosocial support and intervention
- Forensic evidence collection
- Forensic photography
- Risk assessment and safety planning
- Education and resources
- Outpatient referrals at CHEO and within the community
Find resources and support
- Ottawa Children’s Aid Society. Phone: (613) 747-7800
- Ottawa Police:• Kids Help Phone: 1800 668 6868 (or text 686868)
- Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Division (SACA). Phone: (613) 236-1222 x5944
- Human Trafficking Division. Phone: 1-800-292-1168 from anywhere in Canada or email humantrafficking@ottawapolice.ca.
- Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres
- CHEO's Child and Youth Protection team
Visit our resources and support page to find more websites, videos, local contacts and more to support children, youth and families with sexual assault and abuse and trafficking.