Canada
This page will provide specific information for forensic clinicians in Canada. Although we will post online events here, we will also include general resources which may be more challenging for readers to find. Most recent resources are posted first.
BC’s Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons, 2013-2016. A key component is a toolkit for health care providers to aid in identification of the trafficked person. Forensic nurses are from Surrey Memorial Hospital Forensic Nursing Service, Surrey, BC are developing the toolkit with a provincial grant.
CATIE 2013 Treatment Update. This is a link to the most current information on HIV/AIDs treatment in Canada. You can also subscribe to this very informative newsletter for free.
A Nursing Call to Action: The health of our nation, the future of our health system. This link takes you to the Canadian Nurses Association page where you can access the updated report ( September 2012) from the National Expert Commission of CNA which was established in May 2011. The document details a Nine Point Action Plan aimed at achieving better health, better care and better value by a fundamental shift in how our health care system is funded and delivered. You can also watch a video, download fact sheets, see summary reports and references. Worth having a look at as forensic nursing in Canada could and should play a significant role in this process.
CATIE: Canada’s source for HIV and Hepatitis C information website provides a wealth of information on these two diseases including the call for universal testing for HIV by the Canadian Medical Journal. There are three November 30 posts with information on the latest studies from Vancouver, BC. Very worthwhile website to bookmark and you can sign up for their newsletter as well.
Mount Royal University, Calgary Alberta Resource website. On the website you will find a number of resources including:
**Posters on Effective Sexual Assault Prevention Project ( June 2010), Women’s Risk of Injury from Sexual Assault ( 2007), Stepping Up: Reducing Dating Violence, Factors Affecting Women’s Risks and Resiliency to Mental Illness after Intimate Violence
**Cultural and Gender Barriers to Assessing Sexual Assault Services ( 2010)and Sexting.
** Article: Injury Documentation using BALD STEP injury documentation and RCMP sexual assault kit ( 2011)
**Bald Step Key for physical findings traumagram and instructions
**Video :” Stand Up” which can be downloaded free for use.
ECHO: Improving Women’s Health in Ontario (You have to create a new account ( FREE) and then access the following resources and presentations which are excellent resources for forensic health care):
1. Webinar on Women’s Health Effects Study June 4. 2012 which is based on research by Colleen Varcoe ( University of British Columbia), Marilyn Ford-Giboe ( Western University) and Judith Wuest ( University of New Brunswick). This study has highlighted the cost of Interpersonal Violence and strategies for prevention. You can also access the fact sheets taken from the study as well.
2. If you do not have this study on Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault by Janice Du Mont et al, (2008) you can access it on this site “ Responding to Victims/Survivors of DFSA~ Protocol Development, Implementation and Evaluation. Hurry as the site is due to lose its funding in April 2013 unfortunately
Health Indicators 2012 (Canadian Institute for Health Information): The report’s purpose is to document how healthy Canadians
are and also how healthy is the Canadian health system. As forensic nurses, it is important to
understand the health status of the populations we care for and understand the
implications for our interventions.
Adverse Event Rate Nearly 10% in Canadian Pediatric Centers (Medscape–requires free enrollment to view): This August 2012 research synopsis provides an overview of findings published online July 30 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Troubling Assessments: Custody and Access Reports and Their Equality Implications for BC Women (PDF): This report released June 2012 is specific to British Columbia, however it highlights the difficulties abused women have in the legal system when involved in child custody cases.
Police policy and practice on sexual assault against young women (PDF): This report on research done by Youth Alliance (Toronto) is available on the Making a Difference website. Youth Alliance did research on violence against women in Toronto, Canada to identify strengths, challenges and gapes in police policies and procedures when addressing violence and young women. It made many recommendations based on policy and procedures, youth leadership, training, communications and accountability. It has valuable material that can be utilized by others as well as police.
Goldstein, A.L., Amiri, T., Vilhena, N., Wekerle C., Thornton, T., & Tonmyr, L. Youth on the Street and Youth Involved with Child Welfare: Maltreatment, Mental Health and Substance Use (PDF). Toronto, ON: University of Toronto: This study published in late 2011 examines the relationship between Youth on the Street and maltreatment, mental health and substance abuse. The information is useful for forensic nurses who have any contact with street youth.
Domestic Violence in the Workplace (Worksafe BC). This is the link to a newly launched domestic violence in the workplace prevention initiative by Worksafe BC. The site offers a large number of resources which can either be downloaded or ordered in print. Some of the resources include animated clips, fact sheets, posters, videos, a manual: “Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace a Handbook for Employers”, a domestic violence resource list for British Columbia and a Risk Assessment Tool.
Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Overview (PDF). This Canadian government survey provides updated statistics on Family Violence in Canada which are useful for those working in the fields of violence, violence against women, family violence.
Canadians’ Perceptions of Personal Safety and Crime, 2009 (PDF). Newly released in December, 2011 the Statistics Canada 2009 General Social Survey on Canadians’ perceptions of personal safety and
crime has interesting data which is useful when comparing Canadian vs
United States statistics.
Nurses and Workplace Violence. Online DVD on Nurses and Violence in the Workplace, which was based on research out of University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. It can also be ordered (free) in hard copy by contacting UBC School of Nursing. It contains basic principles, scenarios on elderly patient, head injury, emergency and home visit scenarios. It also includes interviews with experts, as well.
A Practical Guide to Elder Abuse and Neglect Law in Canada. This is an excellent overview of the laws pertinent to elder care across Canada and is available in French and English versions. It was released in January 2011 and will be updated regularly.
The White Ribbon Campaign: This campaign which started in Canada in 1991 and now encompasses 55 countries is something many Canadian forensic nurses may not be aware of. Their main campaign runs November 25 to December 6. Both dates are significant.
Violence Against Women in Relationships (PDF): This document was developed under the Province of British Columbia’s Domestic Violence Action plan in response to a case where a mother, her parents and her young child were killed by the child’s father. It provides discussion on the roles of Police, Crown Counsel, Corrections, Victim Services, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Court Services and Family Justice Services in domestic violence. It also provides a protocol for identifying highest risk cases. It comes from B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Ministry of Attorney General and Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Little Eyes, Little Ears: How Violence Against a Mother Shapes Children as They Grow (PDF): This 2007 document from the Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System speaks specifically to the effects of domestic violence on children…thus little eyes, little ears. It has a great outline of what the effects of DV are from babies to teenagers. It also includes a number of additional resources.
Regulated Nurses: Canadian Trends 2005-2009 (PDF): This report from Canadian Institute for Health Information released in December 2010 documents a variety of demographic, education, mobility and employment characteristics for Registered Nurses ( R.N.), Licensed Practical Nurses (L.P.N.) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses ( R.P.N.) in Canada.
Journey to Justice in the North 2009: Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System publication discusses the principles of helping children and teenagers testify in court in Canada’s three territories. The guide was designed for judges, prosecutors, police, shelter staff, victims services and educators. Download free copy from website.
Canada’s System of Justice (PDF): Document provides an overview of Canada’s System of Justice, published by Department of Justice in 2005, with general information about the justice system including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, the judicial structure and overview of civil and criminal cases. See also: Overview of Laws (PDF).
Victims of Violence: This is an interesting site with a wealth of information on victims and crime in Canada. The sections on victim information and research have Canadian resources available for use. It also has a current issues page.
Canadian National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (September 2010)
Victims of Crime Research Digest, March 2010 (PDF): A wealth of information useful to Canadian forensic nurses. It includes: Documenting the growth of resources for Victim/Survivors of Violence, Victims and Restitution, Aboriginal Victimization in Canada: Summary of Literature, Accessing Hard to Reach Populations and Victim Services in Canada Survey results 2007/2008 survey.
The Canadian Adverse Effects Study (PDF): Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2004. A must read for anyone doing legal nurse consulting in Canada.
Invisible Chains: Canada’s Underground World of Human Trafficking ( July 2011 Penguin Book Canada) by Benjamin Perrin, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia is the first book on human trafficking in Canada. It is based on three years of research and a portion of the sales are being donated to initiatives to end human trafficking. This book is a must read for forensic nurses, advocates, lawyers, police officers and anyone who is involved with human trafficked persons. Cost is approximately $20.00 Canadian and is available in bookstores and on websites.
Canadian Nurses Association Position Statement on Workplace Violence (PDF): Just a reminder to Canadian nurses that Canadian Nurses Association has position statements affecting all nurses but also forensic nurses in particular. See also: Nurses and Human Rights (PDF); and Problematic Substance Abuse Among Nurses (PDF).
Legislation Relevant to Nurses’ Practice (PDF): Recently published by the College of Registered Nurses of BC, this updated document provides an overview of current legislation. Both provincial and federal laws, acts and statutes affecting nursing practice are listed with short explanations for each.
Measuring Crime in Canada: Introducing the Crime Severity Index and Improvements to the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2009 (PDF). This document published in 2009 by Statistics Canada on the Crime Severity Index which measures the severity of a crime as well as the volume of police reported crimes in Canada is an excellent reference document which also includes definitions and terminology related to police reported crimes. It also offers an insight into the crime statistics of Canada. For example: the crime rates for the three territories (Yukon, North West Territories and Nunavut) are 60-230% higher than the highest province. You can download a copy or order a single hard copy as well.
Organized Crime and Human Trafficking in Canada: Tracing Perceptions and Discourses (PDF). This research done at the University of Ottawa and released in March 2004 is an important beginning in understanding human trafficking in Canada. This is a good reference as background information for anyone interested in human trafficking in Canada.
The US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released in June 2010 has a specific section for Canada. Follow the link and scroll down to Canada section. This section includes the status of Canada as a Tier 1 country (we meet minimum standards of US Trafficking Victims Protection Act) and provides recommendations for improving the response to human trafficking process in Canada.
An Analysis of Sexual Assaults During Hostage-takings and Forcible Confinements (PDF). The Research Branch of the Correctional Services of Canada provides this Analysis of Sexual Assaults during Hostage-Taking and Forcible Confinements conducted by Donna L. Mailloux and Roger Serin and published in August 2002.
Medical Assessments in B.C.’s Youth Justice System (PDF). This September 2008 report for British Columbia’s Representative for Children and Youth is a review of the Medical Assessments in BC’s Youth Justice System. Dr. Jean Hlady and Dr. Ruth Martin conducted the review into the treatment of youth in a youth custody centre particularly female youth regarding breast and genital examinations. The report outlines findings and recommendations as well as a review of clinical practice for court ordered assessments of youth under the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Child and Youth Injury in Review 2009 (PDF). This publication from Public Health Agency of Canada reviews unintentional injury Deaths and hospitalizations as well as emergency visits. It has a section on Consume Product Safety as well which is of interest to all parents. Those working with children and differentiating between intentional and unintentional injuries will find useful data in this review.
Factors Associated With Suspected Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (PDF). This 2009 article discusses the prevalence and factors associated in suspected drug facilitated sexual assaults in an Ontario study of 882 patients.
Peace and Health Fact Sheet (PDF). This fact sheet published by Canadian Nurses Association in November 2010 focuses on the relationship between peace and health as opposed to violence and health. Permission is granted to reproduce with acknowledgment.
Sexual Assault in Nova Scotia: A Statistical Profile (May 2009, PDF). The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on Status of Women published this report. The report profiles current knowledge about the prevalence of sexual assault in the population, existing knowledge on police-reported sexual assaults and the legal after math of the reported cases. It includes detailed court data tables for Nova Scotia for sexual offenses as well.
Electronic Health Records in Canada (PDF). This is a newly released overview of federal and provincial audit reports on the status of electronic health records across Canada. For those who are contemplating moving to electronic records in forensic health care venues this is a needed resource.
Different Roles, Same Goal: Students Learn about Interprofessional Practice in a Clinical Setting. Nursing Leadership (CJNL), Vol. 23 No. 1 2010. This article highlights the benefits of interdisciplinary clinical practice for a variety of health care students.
Vulnerable Adults and Capability Issues in British Columbia (PDF). Prepared by the BC Adult Abuse/Neglect Prevention Collaborative in January 2009. It is a comprehensive look at vulnerable adults in BC and Canada with an analysis of Canadian Adult Abuse and Neglect legislation that those working in forensic health care should be familiar with. It has a really good definition of vulnerable and also principles/guidelines for practitioners working with vulnerable adults.
Healthcare in Canada 2009: A Decade in Review (PDF). This is a must read for Canadian health care folks, forensic or otherwise. This newly released report is review of health care in Canada over the past decade. It discusses the following Key Components: Policy Direction, Innovations, Health and Health Care Link, Money, Access, Quality and Safety (very pertinent chapter for forensic folks), Health Information and the Future. Hard copy can also be ordered for shipping cost.
Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile 2009 (PDF). It provides a profile of Canada’s shelters for abused women and fact sheets for police reported spousal violence, family violence of children, youth and older adults as well as family homicide.
Child and Youth Victims of Police Reported Crimes 2008 (PDF). The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics Profile Series contains very pertinent information including that children and youth are 1.5 times more likely to be a victim of sexual assault than young adults. It also provides statistics by province for various reported crimes.
Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections, January 2008 (PDF). This document is available in hard copy as well at
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti-its/order-eng.php
Women Prisoners and Health Justice, written and edited by Diane C.Hatton, Anastasia A. Fisher (Radcliffe Publishing 2009)
Book is available from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Chapter 10, Ethics for Health Care Providers: Codes as Guidance for Practice in Prisons was written by Jane Storch and Cindy Peternelj-Taylor. Cindy is Editor of the Journal of Forensic Nursing and a Professor in the School of Nursing at University of Saskatchewan.
Abuse is Wrong (Department of Justice, Canada). This brochure can be downloaded and printed for free,
instructions for ordering on line or by phone are also available on page 2.
Traumatic Pasts in Canadian Aboriginal People (Sochting, et al.) This article provides insight into the traumatic past of
Canadian Aboriginal people within the Indian residential school system. It
provides insight into the kinds of abuse suffered and the long term consequences
of the abuse.
Forensic Nursing Education in America. Arlene Kent-Wilkinson’s PhD dissertation at the University of Saskatchewan, available as a full-text PDF.
Why Don’t More Women Report Sexual Assault to the Police? 2000 research done by Dr. Margaret McGreor and Dr. Ellen Wiebe et al. in Vancouver, BC. This is a retrospective study of 958 cases who presented forcare post sexual assault to a Sexual Assault Service between 1993 and 1997.
The latest version of the Criminal Code of Canada from the Canadian Legal Information Institute:
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{The pertinent sections for forensic nurses are Part V Sections 150 to 182~Sexual Offences, Public Morals and Disorderly Conduct and Part VIII ~Offences Against the Person and Reputations Sections 214 to 320.Have a look at Sections 150, 151, 152, 153, 155, 159, 160, 163, 163.1,170, 171, 172, 266, 267, 268, 269, 269.1,271, 272, 273, 273.1, 273,2 and their subsections as they all refer to legal issues around consent and various forms of interpersonal violence including sexual assault. The website also allows you to compare the new laws with the older versions (available in English and French).}
The uses and impacts of medico-legal evidence in sexual assault cases: A global review (PDF): WHO study done in 2007 by Janice Du Mont and Deborah White looking globally at medico legal evidence in sexual assault cases.
In the Absence of Consent: Sexual Assault, Unconsciousness and Forensic Evidence (PDF): This research was done in 2001. Dr. Lee is a researcher in Vancouver, BC, Canada
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Forensic Science in Canada… (PDF): This document was compiled by Dr. Gail Anderson, an internationally known forensic entomologist at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. It is the only document of its kind in Canada. Provides an overview of forensic nursing in Canada.
