Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville has unveiled a newly renovated Sunrise Centre, a specialized space designed to provide around-the-clock medical forensic services and support for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The project comes as the community works to address a local increase in violence, following the official declaration of intimate partner violence as an epidemic in Dufferin County in 2024.
The updated facility replaces outdated 1990s-era infrastructure with a more welcoming, comforting environment. The new design features purple accents throughout the space, a colour chosen to signify awareness of violence against women. This site is one of 37 similar treatment centres across Ontario, all of which are part of a network established by the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres to ensure standardized, compassionate care for those in need.
Hospital leadership noted that the renovation is a vital step in helping people who may not realize that medical and social support options are available to them. Services at the Sunrise Centre include the collection and storage of forensic evidence, nurse-led health assessments, treatment for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and screenings for injuries like traumatic brain injuries and non-fatal strangulation. The centre also provides direct connections to ongoing counseling services.
The initiative is supported by a network of community partners, including Caledon Dufferin Victim Services, the Ontario Provincial Police, Punjabi Community Health Services, Family Transition Place, and Dufferin Child and Family Services. These collaborations aim to bridge the gap between emergency care and long-term recovery support for victims in the region.
The need for such resources remains high across the province. Data from the provincial police indicates that there were 6,288 victims of intimate partner violence in 2024, representing an 18% increase from the previous year. Of those cases, more than 75% of the victims were women. Residents seeking immediate assistance or navigation to care can utilize the provincial network’s 24/7 navigation line at 1-855-628-7238.
