Geared towards ARNPs, RNs, and physicians, this training was

Forensic Exams and Sexual Assault

(This article may not be appropriate for young or sensitive readers.)

What do you think when you hear that someone had a «forensic exam» or a «rape kit» canada goose outlet uk after a sexual assault? Do you know what that examination involves? How about what it means when a victim reports a sexual assault to canada goose outlet online law enforcement and gets the exam?

I’ve had over two decades to listen and learn from judges, law enforcement and other professionals in the criminal justice system, health care providers, researchers, advocates and, most importantly, survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Those many exchanges lead me to two conclusions: first, rarely if ever does a canada goose outlet toronto factory victim submit to a sexual assault forensic examination and report to law enforcement unless that victim was raped. Secondly, that the converse is not canada goose uk black friday true: there are many victims of rape who, for very good reasons, do not report sexual assault and do not undergo a forensic exam.

When deciding whether to write this article, I weighed two competing concerns: first, that the general public probably doesn’t know what a forensic exam entails and what canada goose outlet it means for someone to have one. And, since education and information is the foundation of buy canada goose jacket cheap a good society, I should do what I can to help point out some key facts and realities. On the other hand, I was concerned that discussing the facts about sexual assaults canada goose outlet shop and forensic examinations could actually discourage victims from seeking out help and undergoing the exam. The exam can be extremely difficult and intrusive. On top of that, the justice system and society often does a better job of blaming and ostracizing the victim than punishing the perpetrator. In the cheap canada goose uk end, I decided a full and informed public is the bedrock of our democracy and that being informed is one of the ways we can help to end this uk canada goose outlet violence so, here goes.

Forensic exams or «rape kits» have two purposes: to provide medical care and assistance to a survivor of sexual assault and to collect evidence. The body of the patient on whom the exam is being done essentially is the crime scene: her clothing, shoes and any other items where there may be evidence also are part of the exam. canadian goose jacket By the way, women, men and children are all victims of sexual assault. cheap canada goose The statistical reality for adult victims is that while one in 33 men will be victimized, one in six women will be. Pronoun usage here reflects the general statistical prevalence among adults.

The collector canada goose clearance sale of that sexual assault https://www.mild-und-leise.de evidence, in best case scenarios, is a trained and certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). The SANE does not determine if a rape occurred; rather the SANE collects evidence that is later turned over to law enforcement for what is usually part of a lengthy investigation. Know that the real world differs greatly from «CSI» scenarios where canada goose outlet uk canada goose black friday the evidence is collected, analyzed and the case goes to trial in a TV hour. In fact, most exams can take between two and three hours, depending on the skill of the examiner and the evidence that needs to be collected.

The forensic exam is «head to toe.» The victim must undress over paper so that fibers, dirt or other debris that falls from her clothing can be recovered. The exam involves looking at the entire body, swabbing wherever there might be evidence of any kind such as the combing and collection of pubic hairs as well as examination of the mouth, genital area, anus and any other area where there might be trauma Canada Goose sale or injury, depending on how the assault occurred. If indicated by the attack, the SANE does a thorough speculum exam, documents and narrates all injuries and takes photographs with light and camera angles allowing for accuracy so the evidence can be used at trial.

In our area, Refuge House coordinates this area’s only SANE program at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. TMH has standards and a special canada goose jacket outlet area designated for forensic evidence collection. Nurses who have been trained by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) also conduct forensic exams in rural areas. However, there is a very short supply of trained nurse examiners. (FCASV regularly offers a 40 hour training for professionals to develop this important skill and practice. See below.)

It is best for the victim to undergo the exam within 72 120 hours after the assault; however, the sooner the better. This time frame is also when a victim is still in trauma from the actual assault, making it even more crucial that only a trained and skilled SANE and other professionals that understand rape trauma be in contact with her.

A victim can undergo a forensic exam without reporting the crime to law enforcement and can decide to report it later or not at all. Federal law mandates that the victim is not charged for the costs of the exam procedure (that would be like the police charging you for fingerprint collection after your house was broken into), but there may be costs for medical interventions, sexually transmitted disease testing, and prophylaxis and pregnancy prevention, which in turn may or may not be covered by insurance. Some, but not all, of these costs are reimbursable.

It is no surprise that many victims may choose not to report, or to get a forensic exam and decline canada goose outlet parka to work with law enforcement and prosecutors. In fact, since almost three quarters of rapists are known to the victim victims are often terrified of reporting due to all kinds of ramifications including being shamed, blamed, ostracized, losing a job or needing to drop out or transfer from school or a job or any number of other down sides to «going public» with this crime. It’s beyond the scope of this article to detail the ups and downs of rape investigations and prosecutions here canada goose black friday sale are some good resources if you want to know more.

Should a sexual assault victim undergo a forensic exam and should she report to law enforcement? The answer to this question is completely up to the victim. Reporting can help put a rapist behind bars if the system works and, ideally, reporting a rape should help a victim to heal. Should she seek help and talk to a rape crisis advocate? Yes. There are local, statewide and national hotlines and help available. (See below.) Should we do more to support the victim? Absolutely, yes. We all need to start by first and foremost, believing and not blaming those who come forward; and we need to understand what it means when they do. We need all local hospitals to support SANE programs and we need more nurses to take the training official canada goose outlet and become certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. We also need to the courage to stand with the victim, hold perpetrators accountable, and be more informed about one of the most under reported, misunderstood and goose outlet canada soul destroying of all crimes.

FCASV offers a 40 hour Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training. Geared towards ARNPs, RNs, and physicians, this training was constructed by adhering to the National Training Standards for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiners for adults and adolescents. Taught by an experienced, highly skilled and well credentialed trainer, the training provides an interesting and interactive format for learning critical information about this important field. Training materials are regularly updated to reflect current best practices and participants are equipped with a comprehensive training manual, complete with color photos for injury documentation, evidence based research articles and references. Nursing participants receive 40 CEUs. The course does canada goose outlet online uk meet the requirement of the International Association of Forensic Nurses, the certifying body of SANE, that students undergo a 40 hour course before becoming eligible to sit for the national exam.