While prior research showed a decrease in ED visits for violence and sexual assault in the early months of the pandemic, this study tracked patterns of ED encounters for sexual assault in Ont. during ongoing waves of the pandemic. Between 2019 and 2021, there were 10,523 sexual assault cases, with 88% among female individuals. The data show that:
- ED encounters for sexual assault increased 20% to 25% just prior to lockdown measures. The pattern was similar across sex, age group, community size and income;
- Following the first lockdown, cases dropped 50% to 60% and stayed below typical levels during the next four waves of COVID-19; and
- There was a seasonal pattern of increasing ED visits during the summer, which coincided with fewer COVID-19 infections and a loosening of pandemic restrictions.
The findings show that healthcare crises affect how survivors access urgent care and this could have long-term clinical, social and legal consequences. Sexual assault and domestic violence treatment centres say specialized and trauma-informed clinics are the best solution for encouraging survivors to come to EDs following a sexual assault but many hospitals don’t have them. This increases the stressors facing EDs that are already struggling.