Trauma and Violence Specialized Primary Care Program

The Trauma and Violence Specialized Primary Care Program (TVSPCP) at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) provides care for individuals experiencing, or who have experienced, trauma, such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, childhood abuse, exploitation or community violence. A first-of-its-kind in North America, the program approaches care in a meaningful, compassionate and therapeutic way to address patient’s physical, mental, social and spiritual needs. 

The clinic was developed to fill a long-standing gap in care for people whose trauma has created barriers to accessing traditional primary care. Trauma extends beyond a specific event or experience, profoundly disrupting a person’s sense of safety, connection, and ability to function. Early-life trauma, such as sexual abuse and exposure to domestic violence, significantly increases the risk of chronic health conditions, substance use, and cycles of abuse that persist across generations.