Relationship Violence Services
Related topics: Sexual health
Relationship violence is an emergency.
If you have been assaulted by an intimate partner, ex-partner, friend or family member, go to the emergency department. You might have injuries that need immediate attention or require medication. We can help you with safety planning.
We believe you and we are here to support you.
Our Relationship Violence Services provide survivors with the health care they need. We can also support with evidence collection, storage and reporting to police/RCMP if survivors choose.
Where should I go to access Relationship Violence Services?
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13 or older and the assault happened within the past seven days
We have gender-inclusive specialized Relationship Violence services through the emergency department (see location below). This service is confidential. You do not need to report to the police/RCMP to access this service.
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After seven days
After seven days, forensic evidence cannot be collected, but you are encouraged to get care through; the emergency department, urgent primary care centre, walk-in clinic, community health centre, youth clinic or your primary care provider (e.g., family doctor or nurse practitioner). There is no time limit on when an assault be reported to police/RCMP.
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14 and under
BC Children’s Hospital recommends that individuals 14 and under who have experienced physical abuse should call 911 or go to BC Children's Hospital when possible.
If you are in a remote/rural location, please go to your local emergency department if you need immediate medical attention, and our emergency department doctors will be able to refer you to Children’s Hospital’s Child Protection Service Unit
More information
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What is relationship violence?
Relationship violence includes domestic violence and intimate partner violence. It is never ok. It can happen to anyone, no matter their gender. It can be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual violence. It could come from an intimate partner, ex-partner, friend or family member. This includes:
- Intentionally or threatening to use physical force, including pushing, hitting, cutting, punching, slapping, shoving, strangulation
- Threatening to hurt themselves or others if you leave
- Trying to control what you do and who you see outside your home
- Lie about you to family or friends to try to hurt your other relationships
- Isolate or control you by monitoring or limiting your use of technology
- Pressuring or force you into sexual acts that you're not comfortable with
- Forcing you to have sex without contraception.
- Deliberately giving you a sexual disease or infection
It is never your fault. No one deserves abuse. It doesn’t matter what you've done or haven’t done. Including:
- Drinking or using drugs
- Having an affair
- Doing something to upset the abuser
- Wanting to stay in a relationship with the abuser
- The abuser blames you
- The abuser is stressed
You may feel guilty, anxious, depressed, angry, numb, powerless, embarrassed, ashamed or in denial.
You may be worried about pregnancy, exposure to STIs or injuries to your head or neck if you’ve been strangled or choked.
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What does the Relationship Violence team do?
Experiencing relationship violence is a traumatic experience. You might not remember everything or find it hard to believe this really happened to you. This is normal. Our specialized Relationship Violence Service is led by a team of female forensic nurse examiners who are specially trained to respond to your health care needs in a safe, compassionate, knowledgeable and supportive environment. Our teams understand the trauma you’ve experienced. They:
- Provide medical care and examinations
- Collect and store evidence
- Can to connect you with safety-planning and follow-up community resources
- Help with the reporting process, if you choose to report
This is a gender-inclusive service available to any consenting person aged 13 and older who has experienced an assault by an intimate partner, ex-partner, friend or family member within the past seven days.
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Other important information
- This service is free and confidential.
- This service is available to everyone, even if you are not a resident of BC or a Canadian citizen.
- You DO NOT need your care card.
- You DO NOT need a parent or guardian to be with you.
- You are welcome to have a support person of your choosing with you.
- We have Indigenous patient navigators available through some of our emergency departments.
- We have virtual translators available through the emergency department.
Relationship Violence service's three options for care
After you’ve been seen by the emergency department doctor, they will contact the specialized team. You will have three options to choose from. It is your choice what services you get and you can change your mind at any time. You do not have to do all parts of the exam. Exams can take two to six hours to complete.
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Option 1: Medical care only
- Physical exam and treatment of injuries
- Blood work and x-rays as needed
- Medication for sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- Emergency birth control
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Option 2: Medical care, evidence collection. No reporting to police/RCMP.
- The above and,
- Documentation of the incident
- Documentation of injuries including photographs
- Evidence collection that can help if you choose to report the assault
- Storing evidence in our locked evidence freezer for one year
- If you choose, you can report to police later – you can report to the police at any time.
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Option 3: Medical care, evidence collection with handover to police/RCMP
- The above and,
- Help in the reporting process to police/RCMP
- Evidence handover to the police/RCMP
It is your choice if you want to report to the police/RCMP. We will support whatever decision you make.
You are not alone. We are here to help, before you leave the hospital, we will connect you with community resources and help with safety planning.
Resources
- VictimLink BC: (call or text 24/7) 1-800-563-0808
- Youth Against Violence Line (24/7) 1-800-680-4264
- SAIL - Seniors Abuse and Information Line: 1-866-437-1940
- Hope for Wellness Available to all Indigenous people across Canada: (24/7) 1-855-242-3310
- Helpline for Children 310-1234 (no area code)
- Battered Women Support Services: 1-855-687-1868
- Victim Services & Violence Against Women Program Directory
- Ending Violence Association of BC Program Directory
- BC Society of Transition Houses Program Directory
- Police Victim Services of British Columbia Program Directory
- BC Housing for Women Fleeing Violence
- Crime Victim Assistance Program
- Shelter Safe:
- Victim Safety Unit
Forensic Nursing Services at Lions Gate Hospital
- Main: (604) 988-3131