The Ontario network of sexual assault and domestic violence centres and the Centre for Research in Women’s Health, in Toronto, have launched a two-year pilot project to identify the best way to provide counseling and testing to victims of drug-aided rapes.
In these types of assaults, the victims are drugged without their knowledge using an anesthesia-type substance that renders them physically helpless. The victims become unable to resist or recall events that occurred while under the influence of the drug.
Nathalie Jacob from Protection Services is representing the University community on the project’s community reference group. “I think this will be a great experience for the University of Ottawa. This will allow us to reinforce our presence in the general community,” explains Jacob. “If this project is successful, we will most likely implement it throughout the University.”
The protocols and materials developed will also be translated into French.
