Summary

Drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) involves the use of drugs to render victims/survivors unconscious and/or incapable of providing consent to sexual activity. The goal of the DFSA study was to develop a better approach to care for victims/survivors of DFSA. As a result of the study, the first standardized, evidence-based DFSA program of care of its kind globally was developed and implemented across all 35 Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres across the province. This project has largely improved the services provided to those who have been sexually assaulted in Ontario and has served as a model for other research and practice worldwide.

 

  • Publications
  • KT Tools
  • Acknowledgements

Articles

  1. Du Mont, J., Macdonald, S., & Kosa, D. (2016). An examination of victim, assailant, and assault characteristics among cases classified as predatory drug-facilitated sexual assault. Womens Health Issues, 26(4), 393-400. Read article

  2. Du Mont, J., Macdonald, S., Rotbard, N., Bainbridge, D., Asllani, E., Smith, N., & Cohen, M.M. (2010). Drug-facilitated sexual assault in Ontario: Toxicological and DNA findings. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 17(6), 333-338. Read article

  3. Du Mont, J., Macdonald, S., Rotbard, N., Asllani, E., Bainbridge, D., & Cohen, M.M. (2009). Factors associated with suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 180(5), 513-519. Read article

Knowledge Translation Tools

  1. Debessai, W., Fredrickson, K., Macdonald, S., & Du Mont, J. (2012, November). Don’t stand by. Stand up! [Poster]. Women’s College Research Institute- Women’s College Hospital and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres. Target audience: the public, youth, educators, and bar service providers.

  2. Fredrickson, K., Debessai, W., Macdonald, S., & Du Mont, J. (2012, October). Intentional drugging and sexual assault [Infographic]. Women’s College Research Institute- Women’s College Hospital and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres. Target audience: the public, youth, educators, health providers, and policy makers.

  3. Rochon-Terry, G., Du Mont, J., Macdonald, S., Debessai, W., & *Fredrickson, K. (2012, October). Making sense of drug facilitated sexual assault [Video]. Women’s College Research Institute- Women’s College Hospital and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres. Target audience: the public, youth, educators, law enforcement, emergency service providers, and health providers.

  4. Fredrickson, K., Debessai, W., Macdonald, S., & Du Mont, J. (2012, August). Sexual assault and drugs: Staying safe [Pamphlet]. Women’s College Research Institute- Women’s College Hospital and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres. Target audience: the public, youth, educators, and bar service providers.

  5. Fredrickson, K., Debessai, W., Macdonald, S., & Du Mont, J. (2012, August). Was I drugged and sexually assaulted? [Pamphlet]. Women’s College Research Institute- Women’s College Hospital and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres. Target audience: the public, youth, educators, law enforcement, emergency service providers, and health providers.

  6. Debessai, W., Fredrickson, K., Macdonald, S., & Du Mont, J. (2012, July). Drug facilitated sexual assault: Information for first responders [Pamphlet]. Women’s College Research Institute- Women’s College Hospital and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres. Target audience: law enforcement, emergency service providers, health care providers, and policy makers.

Funder

The DFSA Study was funded by a grant from the Ontario Women’s Health Council, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Janice Du Mont is holder of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award in Gender and Health.

Participating Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres

  • Guelph-Wellington Care & Treatment Centre for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence;
  • Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre;
  • Kenora Lake of The Woods District Hospital, Sexual Assault/Partner Abuse/SAFEKIDS Program;
  • The Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program;
  • Renfrew Victoria Hospital, Regional Assault Care Program;
  • The Scarborough Hospital, Grace Campus, Sexual Assault Care Centre/Domestic Violence Program;
  • Windsor Regional Hospital, Metropolitan Campus, Sexual Assault Treatment Centre (development phase); and
  • Women’s College Hospital, Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre.

Research Team

  • Co-Principal Investigator:  Janice Du Mont, Women’s College Research Institute- Women’s College Hospital;
  • Co-Principal Investigator: Sheila Macdonald, Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres;
  • Co-Investigator: Meg Dennis-Rodruiguez, Guelph - Wellington Care & Treatment Centre for Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence;
  • Co-Investigator: Cathie Miller, Guelph - Wellington Care & Treatment Centre for Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence;
  • Co-Investigator: Diana Tikasz, Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Care Centre, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University Medical Centre;
  • Co-Investigator: Kathleen Fitzgerald, Sexual Assault/Partner Abuse and Safekids Programs, Lake Of The Woods District Hospital;
  • Co- Investigator: Jennifer Wainman-MacNaught, Ottawa Hospital, Sexual Assault/Partner Abuse Care Program;
  • Co-Investigator: Belinda Holmes, Renfrew County Sexual Assault / Partner Abuse Program, Renfrew Victoria Hospital;
  • Co-Investigator: Shirley Broekstra, The Scarborough Hospital, Grace Division Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Care Centre;
  • Co-Investigator: Petra Norris, Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Centre –  Women’s College Campus Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Care Centre; and
  • Project Coordinator: Nomi Rotbard, Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, Women’s College Research Institute- Women’s College Hospital.

Collaborators

Advisory Committee

  • Margaret McGregor, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, and British Columbia Women’s Sexual Assault Service;
  • Norman Smith, Toxicology and Special Chemistry Unit, St. Joseph’s Health Centre of London;
  • Kathy McKague, Toxicology, Centre of Forensic Sciences; and
  • Roger Frappier, Biology Unit, Centre of Forensic Sciences.

Community Reference Group

  • Peter Duggan, Sex Crimes Unit, Metro Toronto Police Service;
  • Gail Glickman, Crown Attorney & Victim Assistance Secretariat, Ontario Ministry of Attorney General;
  • Nathalie Jacob, Prevention Programs, Personal Safety and Student Liaison, University of Ottawa;
  • Tony Meriano, Emergency Department & Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre Medical Director, Windsor Regional Hospital;
  • Marilyn Oladimeji, Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres; and
  • K.S., Consumer Representative.

London Laboratories Services Group

  • Norman Smith, Toxicology and Special Chemistry Unit, St. Joseph’s Health Centre of London and staff.

Centre of Forensic Sciences

  • Roger Frappier, Biology Unit, Centre of Forensic Sciences and staff.

Sexual Assault Community Advisory Committee

  • Guelph-Wellington Action Committee on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence;
  • Hamilton Woman Abuse Working Group (WAWG);
  • Kenora Sexual Assault/Partner Abuse & SafeKids Community Advisory Committee;
  • Ottawa Sexual Assault Network; and
  • Renfrew County & District FOCUS Community Project (District Health Unit)/Renfrew County Rape Drug Committee.