What is a designated centre?
Definition
Generally located in hospitals, CLSCs or dispensaries, designated centres for medico-social intervention for sexual assault victims (designated centres) offer a range of emergency medical and psychosocial services to victims who were assaulted within the past six months.
The first designated centres were created in 1975; there are now more than 80 in different regions across Québec. Services are provided by a medico-social team made up of psychosocial counsellors, nurses, and doctors who have received special training in helping sexual assault victims*.
Designated centres offer emergency services 24/7 to adults, adolescents and children who were sexually assaulted within the past six months.
A designated centre is the FIRST place to go
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Assurer des services complets, accessibles et de qualité à toutes personnes victimes d’agression sexuelle, peu importe l’âge, dont l’état nécessite une évaluation de la santé, un examen médical ou un examen médicolégal.
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Uniformiser l’intervention dans toutes les régions du Québec, avec la même approche, les mêmes protocoles et les mêmes outils.
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Développer l’expertise pour offrir le meilleur service possible et aider les équipes médicosociales à développer leurs compétences en lien avec les défis qui se présentent sur le terrain.
For more information
* To learn more about the myths and prejudices surrounding sexual assault, please consult the Information Guide for Sexual Assault Victims.