Development of sexual assault nurse examiner programs

Area of Science:

• Forensic Nursing
• Sexual Assault Care
• Trauma-Informed Healthcare

Background:

• Medical and legal first-responder care significantly impacts sexual assault survivor outcomes.
• Effective care requires addressing both immediate needs and long-term legal support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the role of specially trained Registered Nurses in providing comprehensive care to sexual assault survivors.
• To emphasize the importance of evidentiary examinations in survivor support.

Main Methods:

• Review of current practices in sexual assault forensic examinations.
• Analysis of the capabilities of Registered Nurses in specialized training for forensic evidence collection and survivor support.

Main Results:

• Specially trained Registered Nurses can perform evidentiary examinations meeting survivor needs.
• This holistic approach integrates immediate medical care with essential long-term legal support.

Conclusions:

• Registered Nurses with specialized training are uniquely positioned to offer holistic care to sexual assault survivors.
• Implementing such specialized nursing services can improve survivor outcomes and legal recourse.