SEXUAL AGGRESSIONS

Bryson, May 25, 2005. 

The Centre de Santé du Québec, the Sûreté du Québec and the EntourElle will sign today a Protocol of procedures for emergency services for the victims of sexual aggressions.  The objective given by these three partners is to meet the needs of the victims in an efficient and concerted manner, just as the representatives from the Centre Jeunesse de l'Outaouais (CJO) and the Centre for assistance and fight against sexual aggressions (CALAS) gave each other a working method in order to facilitate the organization of services to be offered to all victims of sexual aggression.  The team will offer quality services to the victims of sexual aggression in a perspective of continuity and collaboration point of view.

 Sexual aggression is a significant problem on the personal, family, social, legal and medical plans.  The professional called at the time of an act of aggression must take these risks into account.  According to Lieutenant Jacques Piché of the Sûreté du Québec, "It is necessary to reveal the sexual aggressions to people of all ages, particularly to the children, in order to reduce the after-effects of such acts.  Sexual aggression is a crime and the declaration to the police force must be considered, although the decision rests entirely with the victim."

 Gisele Mousseau, director of EntourElle, reminds us that the victims' needs are of four (4) types:  "They need protection, medical services, information and allowance".  According to the evaluation of the situation, of the time passed since the aggression and according to the desire of the victim, the professional will apply either the medico-legal or medico-social kits without any medico-legal blood taking.  Mrs Guylaine Marcil, director of  Infant / Youth / Family / Services  of the Centre de Santé du Pontiac stresses that "all professionals from the territory called upon to apply the kits  have all been trained  by CALAS when accompanying the victims in case of emergency".

This partnership will continue, as well as in the application of the Protocol, and the follow-up of an intervention regarding a sexual aggression. A follow-up committee will meet in order to evaluate the intervention and make the necessary modifications.  This committee will also be responsible for all regular updates regarding training to be offered to the professionals.

After 20 years of awareness and fight, the subject of sexual aggressions remains taboo and still causes prejudice and anguish. Guylaine Marcil adds "It is significant that the victims know the services of assistance and accompanyment offered specific to the Pontiac, it is for this reason that the committee wanted to make public the signature of the Protocol".  

For information :  Guylaine Marcil  Director of the  Infant / Youth / Family ServicesCentre de Santé du Pontiac