{"id":63606,"date":"2021-04-28T09:14:50","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T13:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/?p=63606"},"modified":"2022-12-12T14:19:20","modified_gmt":"2022-12-12T19:19:20","slug":"virtual-care-opens-doors-to-compassionate-care-for-survivors-of-sexual-assault-and-intimate-partner-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/healthy-tomorrows\/virtual-care-opens-doors-to-compassionate-care-for-survivors-of-sexual-assault-and-intimate-partner-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual care opens doors to compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Content warning: This story talks about sexual assault and intimate partner violence.<\/p>\n

If you have experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence and are looking for community resources or support, jump to the bottom of this story.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Throughout the pandemic, lockdowns and warnings from public officials have encouraged people to stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, having access to medical care and community resources is critical to their wellbeing.<\/p>\n

\"Stephany

Stephany Saloojee, social worker with the SAPACP, and others offer compassionate care to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence<\/em><\/span>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Thanks to virtual care, when patients need to get in touch with Stephany Saloojee, it\u2019s now as simple as sending an email, picking up the phone, or joining a secure video chat. While virtual interactions have replaced many of the in-person elements of Stephany\u2019s role as a social worker in The Ottawa Hospital\u2019s Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program (SAPACP)<\/a>, her commitment to providing the same level of compassionate care remains the same.<\/p>\n

The SAPACP is a team of specialized health professionals who provide private and confidential trauma- sensitive medical care to any person over 16 who has experienced sexual or intimate partner violence in the greater Ottawa region. The program is one of a kind in the area and open to patients 24\/7, 365 days a year.<\/p>\n

Patients who seek care in the program have their first visits in-person, where they can receive medical care, file an anonymous police report if they choose to do so or access other on-site services<\/a> like Sexual Assault Evidence Kits<\/a> or photo documentation of injuries. After the initial visit, the program\u2019s care team follows up virtually after 48 to 72 hours, four to six weeks and three months. These virtual visits can be done over the phone or through secure video conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As a social worker, Stephany plays a critical role in the program by providing crisis and emotional support to patients, safety planning, crisis counselling, and consultations with police. She also helps link patients with community agencies and resources that best support their individual needs, like long-term counseling, temporary shelter, and legal aid.<\/p>\n

Virtual care a new option for sexual assault survivors<\/h3>\n

Before the pandemic, Stephany met with patients exclusively in-person and resources, like information about local agencies, was typically given in hard-copy. Simple virtual tools like email and secure Zoom chats are taking their place, allowing Stephany to follow up and check in with patients more often than before. In fact, some of these tools have become an important part of patients\u2019 healing journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmail gives patients a chance to put their thoughts into words, which can have a tremendous positive effect. Sending me an email also empowers patients and alleviates feelings of helplessness,\u201d explained Stephany. \u201cIt\u2019s helping them take an active part in their recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she first made the transition to providing virtual care, Stephany said she saw new doors opening to her patients.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

\u201cBy being able to access people in their homes, work, or wherever is convenient for them, they\u2019re able to access help where they otherwise might not,\u201d said Stephany.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n

\u201cVirtual care also helps reduce the stigma around seeking care for sexual assault or intimate partner violence. Patients don\u2019t have to worry about running into people they know at an appointment with us or finding out they were seeing a social worker.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building human connection in a virtual world<\/h3>\n

Building connection and a therapeutic rapport with patients has always been an important part of Stephany\u2019s work. And the need to stay connected has only intensified during the pandemic, especially for those who may be experiencing sexual or intimate partner violence.<\/p>\n

Despite the physical limitations, Stephany is finding new ways to build strong human connections and provide compassionate care virtually.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to become more creative in working with patients and I had to stay up to date on the latest supports available,\u201d said Stephany. \u201cPeople might think virtual care could impact human connection, but this isn\u2019t the case. Patients can still be their authentic selves and still experience connection, empathy, support and personal growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

To make sure patients still feel safe and comfortable in their online interactions together, Stephany takes an open, honest approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cI build on small talk, find a connection with patients, talk about their goals, and review privacy and confidentiality because these are really important to people,\u201d said Stephany. \u201cI encourage my patients to ask me questions, remind them that this is a conversation and that they\u2019re helping me understand their situation so I can help in whatever way I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Study shows drop in number of survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence seeking care during lockdown<\/h3>\n

\"Emergency<\/p>\n

Right now, Stephany is busier than she\u2019s ever been. But this hasn\u2019t always been the case.<\/p>\n

The program saw a 50 percent drop in patients presenting to The Ottawa Hospital Emergency Department (ED) for sexual assault and domestic violence during the spring lockdown of 2020, according to a study published in BMC Medicine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The research team compared ED admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence between March and May 2020 with the same time period in 2018. The SAPACP typically sees 60 to 80 patients over a two-month period, but during the first two months of the pandemic, it only saw 34. The weekly average of seven to nine patients dropped to four during that time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis drop was concerning because we want to provide the best possible care for this population,\u201d said Dr. Kari Sampsel, Medical Director of the SAPACP. \u201cWe know from other data sources, particularly our community agencies, that sexual assault and domestic violence was still happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Sampsel and her team think there could be multiple factors behind the decrease in ED admissions. A likely explanation is that many people avoided hospitals entirely in the early days of the pandemic out of fear of contracting COVID-19. Other possible factors include being isolated at home with a controlling or violent partner and unable to leave to seek care or having fewer social interactions with people outside the home.<\/p>\n

The research team also conducted a study<\/a> with individuals who gave birth at The Ottawa Hospital in the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic and found that 24 percent reported intimate partner violence during pregnancy and post-partum. \u201cThis provides more evidence on how violent and abusive behaviours are happening in all populations during this high-risk period and access to services is critical,\u201d said Dr. Katherine Muldoon, Senior Research Associate at The Ottawa Hospital and Assistant Professor with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ottawa.<\/p>\n

While visits to the program have increased in recent months, Dr. Sampsel is still encouraging those who may need help to reach out. \u201cOur program is going to take good care of you, whether it\u2019s in-person or virtually.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Emergency Department admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence<\/h4>\n

The research team compared ED admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence between March and May 2020 with the same time period in 2018.<\/p>\n

“The drop was concerning because we want to provide the best possible care for this population.”<\/p>\n

In the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic there was a 50 percent reduction in sexual assault and domestic violence cases seen in the ED, compared to the same months in 2018.<\/p>\n

Patient admissions<\/strong>
The Ottawa Hospital Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program typically sees 60 to 80 patients over a two-month period, but during the first two months of the pandemic it only saw 34.<\/p>\n

Weekly average<\/strong>
The weekly average of seven to nine patients dropped to four during that period.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Text version of the Infographic
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

Compassionate care for survivors is available 24\/7, 365 days a year<\/h3>\n
\"Dr.

Dr. Kari Sampsel, Medical Director of the SAPACP, and a team of researchers examined ED admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence between March and May 2020 with the same time period in 2018. <\/em><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

In addition to the SAPACP, community agencies across the region, like Ottawa Victim Services<\/a> and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa<\/a>, continue to provide around-the-clock support to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.<\/p>\n

New virtual services, like Unsafe at Home Ottawa<\/a> and Counselling Connect<\/a>, were launched during the pandemic to increase access and awareness of the supports available.<\/p>\n

But, if a trip to the hospital is a safe option, or a phone conversation would be more comfortable, the SAPACP\u2019s team of highly trained, compassionate staff are ready to provide the best care possible \u2013 24\/7, 365 days a year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

\u201cRegardless of how difficult life is right now and the limitations and pressures that have come from this pandemic, our program is there,\u201d said Stephany. \u201cWe can help you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n

Resources for those affected by sexual assault or intimate partner violence:<\/h4>\n