Island Health Forensic Nursing Services Program for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Abuse / Neglect and Victim Services
Provided by Island Health
Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE's) provide confidential, compassionate care to people of all ages and genders who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or other intentional violence.
The Island Health Forensic Nursing Services team provides forensic examinations for survivors of intentional violence, including sexual assault, drug-facilitated sexual assault, human trafficking, intimate partner violence, other forms of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and elder abuse.
Service operate 24/7 with forensic nurses on call at multiple sites across the island to provide care at any Island Health facility, most commonly in emergency departments and urgent and primary care centres (UPCCs). Patients who have experienced sexual assault or intentional relationship violence within the last 7 days can access Forensic Nursing Services at emergency rooms and UPPCs. Patients may also be seen beyond 7 days if there are injuries that can be documented.
Accessing Forensic Nursing Services: While no formal referral is required, access this service by speaking with allied health and health care providers (providers see below), which can be done when an individual attends at an emergency room or UPCC.
Services Available for Patient to Choose:
No one needs to go through this alone. For immediate support or to talk with someone, please contact the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888. Island Health provides additional information regarding sexual assault and relationship violence on their website.
Service operate 24/7 with forensic nurses on call at multiple sites across the island to provide care at any Island Health facility, most commonly in emergency departments and urgent and primary care centres (UPCCs). Patients who have experienced sexual assault or intentional relationship violence within the last 7 days can access Forensic Nursing Services at emergency rooms and UPPCs. Patients may also be seen beyond 7 days if there are injuries that can be documented.
Accessing Forensic Nursing Services: While no formal referral is required, access this service by speaking with allied health and health care providers (providers see below), which can be done when an individual attends at an emergency room or UPCC.
Services Available for Patient to Choose:
- Medical care (no forensic exam, no police report)
- Medical care and a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE), with injuries documented and samples stored for up to one year (no police report)
- Medical care and SAFE with immediate release of samples to police, with your consent
- Staff are also able to: collect forensic evidence; support communication with police or legal services; provide medication, emergency contraception, and immunizations; and arrange referrals for follow-up care including counselling and medical needs.
- Note: All services are confidential, requiring patient consent before medical care is provided.
No one needs to go through this alone. For immediate support or to talk with someone, please contact the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888. Island Health provides additional information regarding sexual assault and relationship violence on their website.
Location finder: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our...
Cost: No cost
Referral options:
- Family physician or nurse practitioner referral
- Allied health care provider referral
- Health care provider referral
Associated Programs/Services
Also offered by Island Health:
Just the closest matches listed. Click to see more!- HerWay Home
- Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) - Victoria (Esquimalt)
- Adult Mental Health and Substance Use Services - Westcoast
Availability
Service area: Island Health Area + show cities
Service Types Provided
Abuse / Neglect
Victim Services
Ways to Access
- After Hours Services
- Provided 1:1 in-person
- Provided at multiple locations
The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.