Toronto hospital
addresses gay bashing
Toronto's Wellesley Central Hospital is helping its emergency staff to be more sensitive and effective when caring for victims of lesbian and gay bashing. It has created a program that is the first of its kind in North America, and part of a project called "Confronting hate-motivated crime against lesbians and gay men." Hospital staff who suspect a patient has been victimized because of perceived sexual orientation follow guidelines that help them deliver emotional support and care and provide information about community resources. Workshops and a video increase awareness of the problem.
A community survey of 368 assault victims showed that 78% had experienced verbal assault after being perceived as gay or lesbian and 50% had been threatened with physical violence. Victims of assault have most likely been travelling on foot, and many incidents involve two or three attackers who were travelling in a vehicle. The hospital says that the psychological effects of being attacked -- higher levels of depression, loss of confidence, relationship problems, sleep problems and fear or being out after dark or alone -- can be more devastating than physical injuries.
| CMAJ July 1, 1996 (vol 155, no 1) |
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