The Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux de la Montérégie-Ouest (CISSSMO) has announced the creation of designated centres for victims of sexual violence that will work closely with police and legal services, as well as specialized partners, to provide more comprehensive care.
The pilot project – the first of its kind in Quebec – represents a paradigm shift in how sexual violence cases are managed. It is designed to ensure intake, support, and follow-up services are provided to the victim, without their having to make requests. The goal is to improve the fluidity of the process to avoid redundancy, and to minimize the emotional impact of such an event by ensuring greater efficiency in care.
The centres were officially launched during a press conference on September 24.
The emergency team at the designated centre at the Anna Laberge hospital in Chateauguay and the Suroît hospital in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, which includes doctors, nurses, and psychosocial workers, will provide personalized support to victims. The CISSSMO also guarantees that a return visit for legal assistance will be arranged within 72 hours of the victim’s visit to a designated centre.
Rebâtir, an organization offering legal consultation services, will provide four hours of free legal advice to victims, and has committed to being available as quickly as possible to consult on many areas of the law, including criminal, immigration, family, civil, housing, and compensation for victims of a crime (IVAC).
Along with Rebâtir, the CISSSMO is collaborating on this initiative with the Chateauguay, Mercier, and Roussillon police departments, the Sûreté du Québec, the CALACS Le Vigie and CALACS Chateauguay sexual assault centres, the Centre d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels (CAVAC), Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS), and Akwesasne’s Kanonkwatsheriio Heath Facility. Victims will be able to go to any of the partners to initiate the process.
“The nature of this pilot project is more than essential, and we want to equip ourselves with the most effective tools for helping victims of sexual violence,” said Johanne Fleurant, the CISSSMO’s assistant director for social, rehabilitation, and public health programs, while thanking the partners for their involvement.
“The designated centres are a gateway for victims, and it was important to harmonize our practices for their benefit,” said Chantal Robitaille, a counsellor with CALACS Chateauguay.
Nathalie Tanguay, the clinical director at CAVAC de la Montérégie, added that the designated centres represent a big step in the right direction for offering care to victims at every stage of the process.
The pilot project with the CISSSMO will remain in place until at least 2026. (SR)