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Caring Sexual Assault Patients in the Military: Past, Present, and Future

NCJ Number
225492
Journal
Journal of Forensic Nursing Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: 2008 Pages: 190-198
Author(s)
LCDR Cynthia T. Ferguson CNM, MSN, FNE-A, SANE-A
Date Published
2008
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In a historical review of the military’s policies, procedures, and programs in the caring for sexual assault patients, this paper focuses on the recently instituted sexual assault prevention and response polices and programs with the Department of Defense.
Abstract
The occurrence of sexual assault crimes is a problem that affects both military and civilian communities. Previously in military communities, the close working conditions of fellow military personnel and preexisting legal requirements made confidential reporting options inaccessible to military members reporting assault. The Department of Defense (DOD) has taken great strides in the past 4 years to develop and improve its Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) programs. These programs have included: an unrestricted reporting method which allows for the report of the assault to investigative personnel, full medical care, and in-depth collection of forensic evidence; and the development of a restricted reporting option which allows patients to report confidentiality, obtain full medical treatment, and have a collection of limited forensic evidence to be securely stored in a safe repository for up to 1 year. Also, patients are able to change their reports from restricted to unrestricted at anytime. In addition, military medical professionals providing care to sexual assault patients are required to be trained in how to perform sexual assault examinations and forensic evidence collection. This helps military medical providers maintain their competencies and skills in sexual assault medical and forensic care. The changes that need to take place to improve medical and forensic care of sexual assault patients will continue to occur with patience and dedication as well as evolving understanding in the SAPR process. Tables and references