Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault (DASA)
Emergency Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault (DASA) care and follow-up nursing care are provided in our Emergency Departments at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.
The DASA Care Centre of York Region provides free, patient centered care for recent victims of intimate partner abuse, human trafficking and sexual assault. Care includes emergency care, examination, testing, follow up care and counselling and other services as needed.
Services are provided by health care professionals who are specially trained in forensics and trauma related to abuse and assault. The centre also provides counselling and support to family members and caregivers.
Please note that Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault (DASA) services at Mackenzie Health remain available during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emergency care services
Our hospitals have forensic nurses on call 24-hours a day for youth and adults who:
- Have experienced a sexual assault within the past 12 days
- Have been assaulted by a partner within the past two weeks
- Or a child who has been or is suspected to have been sexually assaulted in the past 72 hours
Options for care following an assault:
- Examination and treatment of injuries
- Free testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
- Free emergency contraception
- Sexual assault forensic examination
- Photographic documentation of injuries
- Risk assessment, safety planning and link to other community services
To access emergency DASA services:
- Call 905-883-1212 ext. 0 and ask for the DASA nurse on call to be contacted for you; and/or
- Our QuadReal Property Group Menkes Developments Ltd. DASA Unit and staff are primarily located at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. Come to our Emergency Department and tell the nurse at the front desk you would like to see the DASA nurse.
Non-emergency DASA care services
Non-emergency services are available by appointment for children, youth and adults who: have experienced a sexual assault outside of the emergency care service guidelines, and/or are experiencing abuse by a current or former partner and have no injuries at this time.
Non-emergent DASA care services are located at
Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
3200 Major Mackenzie Dr. West.
Vaughan, Ontario, L6A 4Z3
Phone: 905-883-2216
Toll free: 1-800-521-6004
Fax: 905-883-0772
Call Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to book an appointment
Options could include:
- Follow-up medical care
- Documentation of injuries
- Risk assessment
- Safety planning
- Counselling services
- Family support
Counselling services
Short-term, individual, trauma-based counselling services are available to help you deal with the impacts of what has happened. DASA staff also provide limited term psychoeducation and support to family members and loves ones of directly impacted individuals.
Counselling services are located at:
Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital
10 Trench Street
C-Wing, Room #2246
Richmond Hill,
ON L4C 4Z3
Phone: 905-883-2216
Toll free: 1-800-521-6004
Fax: 905-883-0772
Please note access to the counselling services location is by appointment only and walk ins are not accepted.
What kinds of abuse does DASA provide care for?
DASA cares for individuals and families who have experienced:
- Domestic abuse/assault - an act of power and control by a person over his/her current or past partner or spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. It can include physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse.
- Sexual assault/abuse - Any form of sexual activity with another person without his/her consent.
- Sexual harassment - unwelcome, uninvited remarks, gestures or actions of a sexual nature that make a person feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
- Criminal harassment - a pattern of threatening conduct that causes a person to reasonably fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them.
Education and outreach
The DASA Care Centre offers education and outreach services to groups, clubs, schools or organizations across York Region.
Topics include:
- Healthy relationships
- Domestic violence/abuse
- Sexual assault/abuse
- Elder abuse
Not sure if you require DASA services?
Please feel free to call us at 905-883-1212 ext. 0 to discuss your situation. Our services are confidential.
If DASA does not provide the service that best meets your needs, we will be happy to help you explore other options in the community.
There is no fee for any DASA service.
Confidentiality will be respected.
Language interpretation services are available.
DASA is a 2SLGBTQ+ positive space.
Emergency and non-emergent services
Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
3200 Major Mackenzie Dr. West.
Vaughan, Ontario, L6A 4Z3
Phone: 905-883-2216
Toll Free: 1-800-521-6004
Fax: 905-883-0772
Emergency services:
Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
3200 Major Mackenzie Dr W
Vaughan ON L6A 4Z3
Local from Vaughan: 905-417-2000
Local from Richmond Hill: 905-883-1212
Counselling services:
Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital
10 Trench Street
C-Wing, Room #2246
Richmond Hill,
ON L4C 4Z3
Phone: 905-883-2216
Toll free: 1-800-521-6004
Fax: 905-883-0772