Recognition for sexual-assault response team
Regional program receives provincial Victim Services Award of Distinction
KITCHENER — The Waterloo Region Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre’s exceptional work has been recognized with a provincial award.
“That’s just a reflection of the good work our team does,” said centre manager Julia Manuel.
She was at Queen’s Park on Wednesday to receive the attorney general’s Victim Services Award of Distinction on behalf of the centre, a program of St. Mary’s General Hospital.
The awards are given annually to honour the exceptional achievements of professionals and volunteers in victim services, as well as the important work of individual victims.
“I think it just speaks to their dedication and commitment to serving victims in this region,” Manuel said.
The centre has a team of nurses and social workers on call to respond to sexual assault and domestic violence victims, serving more than 500 people last year.
Clients get rapid access to specially trained professionals in a private area in the emergency departments of St. Mary’s as well as Cambridge Memorial Hospital. Ongoing counselling and referrals are also provided.
“We also provide services to men and children,” Manuel said.
A pediatric clinic for known or suspected child sexual assault or abuse has helped 85 children since its launch in 2015.
The centre partnered with the Waterloo Regional Police Service to start the Multidisciplinary Response to Combat Human Trafficking program in 2016. Ten victims have received help, including emergency medical care, support and referrals.
The St. Mary’s centre is one of 35 across Ontario, with one big distinction: “We’re the only centre that has a social worker and nurse respond at the same time as a team,” Manuel said.
The team responds within 45 minutes, providing both medical and social support. Any followup counselling will be with the same social workers, which means the client doesn’t have to tell their story again.
“They’ve got somebody who is there for them,” Manuel said. “We give them the options that are available. They get to choose what is best for them.”
People who need the service can go to the emergency department of St. Mary’s or Cambridge Memorial; the team will be contacted and meet with the person in private.