Sex assault survivors in Oxford County no longer need to travel to London for follow-up care | 24CA News
Specialized look after survivors of sexual assault in Oxford County will now be out there nearer to house, because of a singular partnership that may see specially-trained employees in London, Ont., present session providers to Oxford County Community Health Centre (OCCHC) employees.
The partnership between OCCHC and the Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program (RSADVTP) of St. Joseph’s Health Care London is described by the 2 as “the first agreement of its kind in the province.”
It means sexual assault survivors can obtain therapy for accidents, testing for sexually transmitted infections and different follow-up care at OCCHC’s fundamental workplace in Woodstock as an alternative of getting to journey to London.
However, Oxford County residents who select to have forensic proof collected will nonetheless have to go to London initially because the RSADVTP, which serves Oxford, Elgin, Huron-Perth and Middlesex counties, is “the only program in the region that offers forensic evidence collection.”
Oxford County residents who’ve proof collected can switch their care to OCCHC afterward.
“Disclosing sexual assault or domestic violence is extremely difficult and often frightening,” stated RSADVTP coordinator s Cassandra Fisher.
“Forging partnerships with organizations like the OCCHC builds capacity in our region, allows trauma-informed, specialized care to be provided close to home where people feel the most safe, and opens another door to ensure survivors receive the support they need.”
Fisher added that anybody who enters this system is obtainable follow-up look after six months post-assault.
“We want to ensure everyone is able to access this follow-up care regardless of where they live.”
Currently, sexual assault providers like danger administration and counselling are offered by Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS) at OCCHC. The centre itself additionally supplies survivors entry to providers like housing stability programming, major care, speedy entry dependancy drugs, and extra. The new partnership with RSADVTP will “complement existing sexual assault services.”
OCCHC govt director Randy Peltz stated “the partnership addresses a long-standing barrier to care.” OSAS program coordinator Laura McCreery added that the partnership “also serves as a potential model for other – often rural – communities across the province facing similar barriers.”
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