I stepped into the hushed corridors of Quinte Health’s Belleville General Hospital on a crisp March morning, where the atmosphere carries both the weight of trauma and the quiet resilience of healing. In one of the private examination rooms, a survivor of sexual assault receives care from a specially trained nurse – a process that until recently was severely underfunded despite its critical importance.
“Every person who walks through these doors deserves comprehensive care delivered with dignity,” explains Sarah Corkey, who coordinates Quinte Health’s domestic and sexual violence program. “For years, we’ve stretched our resources to breaking point. This new funding means we can finally breathe.”
The program Corkey refers to received welcome news last month when the Ontario government announced permanent base funding of $999,000 annually for Quinte Health’s domestic and sexual violence treatment initiatives. This investment represents a significant shift from the year-to-year uncertainty that has challenged similar programs across the province.
Minister of Health Sylvia Jones made the announcement alongside Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee at Belleville General Hospital on February 22. “Survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence need and deserve specialized care,” Minister Jones stated. “This investment ensures Quinte Health can continue to provide compassionate care and support to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community.”
The new funding will support Quinte Health’s domestic and sexual violence program across all four hospital sites – Belleville, Trenton, Picton, and North Hastings. The significance of this geographic coverage cannot be overstated in a region where rural isolation often compounds the challenges faced by survivors.
Dr. Rohit Bhalla, Quinte Health’s Chief of Staff, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the care provided: “Our teams deliver around-the-clock emergency services for individuals who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence. This includes medical care, forensic evidence collection, crisis intervention, safety planning, and connections to community supports.”
Walking through the hospital’s specialized examination room, I notice the thoughtful details – warm lighting instead of harsh fluorescents, comfortable seating arranged to give patients control over their personal space, and medical equipment stored discreetly to create an environment focused on comfort rather than clinical efficiency.
These nuances matter profoundly. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that how healthcare services respond to disclosure of violence significantly impacts whether survivors will seek further help or retreat from the system entirely. One study found that negative experiences with healthcare providers after assault can increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder by nearly 40 percent.
The timing of Ontario’s funding commitment coincides with concerning trends across the province. According to Statistics Canada data, police-reported sexual assaults increased by 18 percent in Ontario between 2021 and 2022, though experts universally acknowledge that reported cases represent only a fraction of actual incidents.
“What we’re seeing is just the tip of the iceberg,” says Leah Morgan, executive director of Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District, a community organization that works closely with Quinte Health. “For every person who comes forward, we know there are many more suffering in silence.”
Morgan explains that the ripple effects of proper hospital-based care extend far beyond immediate medical needs. “When someone receives trauma-informed care at that critical moment, it can be the difference between a lifetime of silence and a path toward healing.”
The new base funding allows Quinte Health to strengthen several key program elements, including 24/7 specialized nursing coverage, enhanced training for healthcare providers, improved coordination with community partners, and expanded follow-up care.
“Before this announcement, we operated with a patchwork of temporary funding that made long-term planning nearly impossible,” explains Kim Stephens-Woods, Quinte Health’s Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “Permanent funding means we can recruit and retain specialized staff, invest in their ongoing education, and build sustainable programs.”
This commitment to stable funding follows years of advocacy from healthcare providers, community organizations, and survivors themselves. Many have pointed to the economic case for proper support services – a 2022 report from the Canadian Women’s Foundation estimated that gender-based violence costs the Canadian economy $12.2 billion annually through healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and judicial system costs.
Yet for those working directly with survivors, the value of proper care transcends economic calculations.
“I’ve sat with people during what might be the worst day of their lives,” shares a sexual assault nurse examiner who requested anonymity to protect patient confidentiality. “Having the resources to be fully present, to take the time needed without rushing, to provide options rather than limitations – that’s what this funding really means.”
As I prepare to leave Belleville General Hospital, I notice a small garden visible from the windows of the examination room – deliberate green space where survivors can rest their eyes during difficult conversations. It’s a reminder that healing from trauma requires not just medical intervention but human connection and care.
For anyone in the Quinte region who has experienced sexual or domestic violence, services are available 24/7 through any Quinte Health emergency department. The Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District also operates a confidential crisis line at 1-877-544-6424.
