Confidentiality

If you need help and come to the Sexual Assault Care Centre at the Scarborough Hospital, you have the right to confidentiality.  Please visit our map and location page for directions.

Confidentiality means that no information about you will be given out without your consent.  Your informed consent is necessary before the Sexual Assault Care Centre releases information to anyone other than hospital staff that are directly involved in your care.  When you understand and agree to give your consent, you will be asked to sign a consent form.

Yes, sometimes.  Every attempt to protect the confidentiality of your records is made, however, under the following circumstances, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

1. When we are concerned that the abuse of a child (person under the age of 16) has happened or that he/she is in need of protection, we are obligated by law to report this to the Child Protection Services.

2. In a criminal investigation, your records may be subpoenaed by a court of law.  The judge would make a decision on whether your records would be required.

3. The staff from the Sexual Assault Care Centre are sometimes subpoenaed to give evidence in court on behalf of the victim of a sexual assault.

4. If you give us information that would lead us to believe that you will seriously harm yourself or someone else, we may break confidentiality in order to make sure people remain safe.

Staff at the Sexual Assault Care Centre are not allowed to tell your parents about the sexual assault without your permission.  We always encourage you to talk to your parents if you have been sexually assaulted.  Sexual assault is never your fault and your parents often can help you.