Category: Sexual Assault

OVC TTAC has a webinar coming up next month as part of the SANE Program Development and Operation Web Training Series, Developing a SANE Program in Rural Communities. The session will be held September 29th at 2pm ET. As with most of their webinars, available info is limited: Learn about the challenges, opportunities, lessons learned, and available resources related to developing a SANE program in rural communities. Register here.

Late notice, so apologies, but hopefully, this will be archived: the National Latin@ Network has a webinar coming up on August 17th, Trafficking in Native Communities. The session will be held from 12:30-2pm CT. From the site:

This webinar will address the unique ways that trafficking impacts Native communities in the United States.  Specific topics will include the history of trafficking, trafficking in urban vs. reservation communities, risk factors, legal considerations, and best practices for providing culturally-specific support to survivors.  Research on Native women who have been trafficked will also be reviewed.

By the end of this webinar, participants will learn: 

• How trafficking of Native people is linked to colonization and other forms of violence.
• Best practices for providing culturally-specific support to survivors.
• Pressing needs and gaps in support that survivors have identified.

Register here.

I’m pleased to announce that the National Best Practice for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach is now available from NIJ. This is a project many of us worked on and should provide excellent guidance related to all things sexual assault evidence collections kits, including our role in obtaining samples, processing kits, notifying victims and more. From the site:

Through the report, “National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach,” NIJ’s expert working group created 35 recommendations providing a guide to victim-centered approaches for responding to sexual assault cases and better supporting victims throughout the criminal justice process. A coordinated and collaborative approach to sexual assault investigations helps provide reassurance and support to the victims of sexual violence, improve victim engagement to facilitate healing, and increase the potential for just resolutions to these cases.

Jurisdictions vary in their individual needs and resources; these recommendations can help provide a roadmap for agencies to develop or advance their policies and protocols for untested sexual assault kits. The recommendations emphasize the use of collaborative, victim-centered, and multidisciplinary approaches to improve evidence collection and preservation, increase consistency and provide uniformity for the prioritization and transferral of evidence, enhance laboratory process efficiencies for DNA testing, and advance investigative practices and agency protocols for: evidence inventory, tracking and audits, and communication systems.

Chapter 2 specifically addresses medical-forensic exams, but it’s worth reviewing the full doc, particularly with your SART or MDT, because there are some items in here that have been a bit fuzzy in the past that are addressed with more clarity (such as numbers of swabs obtained and how they should be obtained; use of lubricants; slides and smears). Although they specifically pertain to the work we do, they don’t exist in a vacuum, so expect the need for some multidisciplinary conversation, including your crime lab personnel.

You can download the full document here (PDF).

Somehow I managed to forget to post this, so apologies for the late notice (but it will be archived, so no worries if you can’t view in real time): How Language Helps Shape Our Response to Sexual Violence is the next webinar offered over at SAFEta (and KIDSta). It will be held August 10th at 2pm ET. The awesome Claudia Bayliff is the featured speaker (her sessions at the annual conference are always packed), so it’s a definite do not miss (especially if you’ve never had the pleasure of hearing her before). From the announcement:

When discussing sexual violence, we often use the language of consensual sex to describe assaultive acts or use euphemisms, erotic, or affectionate terms to portray violent acts. This language implies consent and romance, rather than criminal acts. In addition, we tend to describe violence against women in passive terms, which allows the perpetrators of this violence to remain invisible and unaccountable. We also use language that objectifies or blames sexual assault victims. This interactive session will explore the language of sexual assault: how we talk about and write about this crime. We will discuss specific examples of the language we use and explore how to discuss sexual assault in a way that more accurately depicts the crime. This session is applicable to all members of the response team who work with survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Register here.

OVC TTAC has a webinar coming up as part of their SANE Program Development and Operation Web Training Series, SANE Program Development and Operation: An Introduction. Not surprisingly, it’s based on the document of essentially the same name. The session will be held August 14th at 2pm ET. Limited descriptor available: Take a look at the new SANE Guide, get an overview of the foundations used to create the guide, and find information on building a sustainable SANE program using a strong nursing foundation to support the SANE role. Register here.

If you didn’t listen to the NPR program 1A on Monday, you missed a good conversation on campus sexual assault. While it had its eye rolling moments, in general, it was a worthwhile listen. If it’s a topical interest of yours (and I think it’s helpful to understand the processes that occur on campus following a sexual assault report), you can hear the entire conversation here.

H/t to Kim Day for this info: Indian Health Service Division of Behavioral Health is offering a series of webinars for program supervisors and clinicians on Trauma Informed Care. For those of you working with American Indian/Alaska Native patients:

Webinar for Supervisors presented by Maria Brave Heart, PhD  (for SANE Program Manger staff)
All Webinars in this series will last 1 hour and begin at: 12:30 pm Eastern, 11:30 am Central, 10:30 Mountain, 9:30 am Pacific, 8:30 am Alaska
July 12 Trauma Informed Care and Historical Trauma Informed Care for All Staff Who are in a Supervisory Role: Part 1 Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/egmmwnnsra31/event/event_info.html
Aug 1 Trauma Informed Care and Historical Trauma Informed Care for All Staff Who are in a Supervisory Role: Part 2 Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/enl9i6936a8c/event/event_info.html
Aug 22 Trauma Informed Care and Historical Trauma Informed Care for All Staff Who are in a Supervisory Role: Part 3 Register here: Trauma
ihs.adobeconnect.com/emocelj7vyjj/event/event_info.html
Sept 12 Trauma Informed Care and Historical Trauma Informed Care for All Staff Who are in a Supervisory Role: Part 1 (repeat) Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/eytpe12lvhav/event/event_info.html
Oct 3 Trauma Informed Care and Historical Trauma Informed Care for All Staff Who are in a Supervisory Role: Part 2 (repeat) Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/etqvvxf895b5/event/event_info.html
Oct 24 Trauma Informed Care and Historical Trauma Informed Care for All Staff Who are in a Supervisory Role: Part 3 (repeat) Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/ezeyv1vkf23e/event/event_info.html

Health Care Provider Webinars presented by Jeanne Bereiter, MD
Unless otherwise noted, all Webinars in this series will last 1 hour and begin at: 2 pm Eastern, 1 pm Central, 12 pm Mountain, 11 am Pacific, 10 am Alaska
June 15 Part I in 3 Part Series for Medical Providers: ACES & Why They Matter in Healthcare Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/emwy6p5l9hhh/event/event_info.html
July 6 Part II in 3 Part Series for Medical Providers: Trauma, Attachment, & DSM 5 Diagnoses Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/ejqxnbhvguaq/event/event_info.html
Aug 24 Part III in 3 Part Series for Medical Providers: Vicarious Trauma & Burnout in Healthcare Providers and How a Trauma Informed System Can Help Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/etsk7iet5wtz/event/event_info.html
Sept 26 Part I in 3 Part Series for Medical Providers: ACES & Why They Matter in Healthcare (repeat) Begins at: 4:30 pmEastern, 3:30 pm Central, 2:30 pm Mountain, 1:30 pm Pacific, 12:30 pm Alaska Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/es0vx53ux6cz/event/event_info.html
Oct 17 Part II in 3 Part Series for Medical Providers: Trauma, Attachment, & DSM 5 Diagnoses (repeat) Begins at: 4:30 pm Eastern, 3:30 pm Central, 2:30 pm Mountain, 1:30 pm Pacific, 12:30 pm Alaska Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/ecpadd2560km/event/event_info.html
Nov 15 Part III in 3 Part Series for Medical Providers: Vicarious Trauma & Burnout in Healthcare Providers and How a Trauma Informed System Can Help (repeat) Begins at: 3 pm Eastern, 2 pm Central, 1 pm Mountain, 12 pm Pacific, 11 amAlaska Register here: ihs.adobeconnect.com/emfgz7yqnlli/event/event_info.html

One of my favorite writers, Roxane Gay, has a new book out, Hunger (review). Last night she was the featured interview on the Daily Show, which I would encourage you to watch (the interview starts at 15:37). You can also read about the history of this book, and it’s reason for being in several media outlets:

The Atlantic

Washington Post

Village Voice

We know all too well that people react to trauma in myriad ways. Roxane Gay helps us understand one. I can’t wait to read this.

UPDATE: Roxane Gay on Fresh Air

The National Criminal Justice Training Center is hosting a webinar, Human Trafficking: Identifying and Responding to Victims in the Healthcare Setting. The session will be held June 7th at 2pm ET. From the announcement:

A 2017 survey report from the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST) found that over half of labor and sex trafficking survivors surveyed had accessed health care at least once while being trafficked. Nearly 97% indicated they had never been provided with information or resources about human trafficking while visiting the health care provider. This webinar will present strategies to equip healthcare professionals to identify and appropriately assist trafficked persons with victim-centered, trauma-informed care and services.

Register here.

The Tribal Forensic Healthcare project has a new webinar coming up, Examination Options After Sexual Assault: Do Survivors Have to Report? The session will be held May 25th at 2pm ET. From the announcement: Access to healthcare after sexual assault can be critical to survivors beginning the healing process and to prevent long-term health consequences. Reporting the assault to law enforcement should not be a barrier to accessing this care. In 2005 the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) stated that victims of sexual assault must be provided access to a medical forensic exam free of charge and without being required to cooperate with law enforcement or participate in the criminal justice system.

Kim Day (SAFEta) and Leslie Hagan (DOJ) will be teaching the webinar. Register for it here.

[First things first: I am taking some much-needed vacation next week after a very long March. FHO will be dark while I’m off. I promise to pick back up Monday, April 17th with a new Articles of Note, among other things.]

April isn’t only #SAAM, it’s also Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month. In that vein, a new MMWR article on state-specific primary and secondary syphilis rates that’s worth your attention. Always critical to be familiar with incidence and prevalence of STDs in our communities. BTW–contrary to the title of the article, the statistics reviewed are not exclusive to men who have sex with men, as you’ll see once you scroll down.

Apologies for missing the 1st half of the week, but I had my hands full with our Leadership Training and Lobby Day, which was a fantastic couple of days. And now, seeing as April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a totally appropriate posting for the 1st one I’m managing this #SAAM2017. And featuring my friends, no less. OVCTTAC is sponsoring a Q&A with Susan Chasson and Jennifer Pierce-Weeks on building an effective SANE program. The session will be held April 19th at 2pm ET.  From the registration:

Providing comprehensive health care to survivors of sexual assault is critical to minimizing the long-term consequences of this traumatic experience. That is where a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) can help. This session will focus on how to start or improve a SANE program in your community with OVC’s SANE Program Development and Operation Guide. Now available online at https://www.ovcttac.gov/saneguide.

Understanding the landscape of sexually transmitted infections in your community is a critical part of effectively caring for sexual assault patients. National treatment guidelines are well and good, but if the clinical picture is different where you are, then adapting those guidelines becomes a necessity. To that end, Indian Health Services has an upcoming webinar that should be helpful for those providing care in Indian Country–Sexually Transmitted Infections: Epidemiology in Indian Country and Screening and Treatment Recommendations. The session will be held April 14th at 3pm ET. CEs are available for nurses.

Outcomes:

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Summarize the epidemiology of STIs in Indian Country.
2. Apply appropriate standard screening and treatment recommendations for STIs to help increase screening rates in Indian Country.
3. Identify the special populations and their different STI testing needs to increase case finding in those populations and in turn reduce total STI burden.

The National Criminal Justice Training Center has a webinar coming up, Best Practices in Communicating with Survivors of Sex Trafficking. The session will be held March 23rd at 2pm ET. The session will:

…[provide] an overview of trauma-informed techniques for communicating with victims and survivors of sex trafficking. Gather strategies for building rapport and fostering open communication for the various professionals that victims of sex trafficking interact with in justice, advocacy, and recovery.

Register for the webinar here.

SAFEta has a webinar coming up in May (bless you, Kim for your advanced planning and scheduling)–Informed Consent for Sexual Assault Exams: It Is Not Just a Signature, It’s a Process. The session will be held May 2nd at 2pm ET. From the announcement:

Sexual assault victims must provide informed consent for a medical forensic exam. Although the concept of informed consent is a term that healthcare providers are very familiar with, there are additional legal implications associated with consent for the exam that providers need to understand. Victims need relevant information on the impact of participating in or declining each component of the exam.

Register here.

PreventConnect has a webinar coming up, Public Health Approach to Preventing Human Trafficking. The session will be held 23 March from 2-3:30 pm ET. Their webinars tend to fill, so if you’re interested I would encourage you to register quickly.  From their site:

A recently published book, Human Trafficking Is a Public Health Issue: A Paradigm Expansion in the United States, is the first book of its kind, with a comprehensive look – from a public health perspective – at human trafficking in the US. This web conference will explore the problematic nature of human trafficking in our communities through the public health lens and how it is linked to sexual violence and domestic violence. We will identify fundamental types and essential elements of human trafficking to consider and incorporate while developing primary prevention programs. We will also highlight examples of anti-human trafficking prevention work being pursued by community health organizations and discuss strategies and actionable goals to create programs to prevent human trafficking in your communities.

You can register here.

NSVRC has a new research translation available (PDF) that summarizes a CDC study on sexual identity and health-related behaviors of high school students. The report found that students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual face significant health disparities. This is a critical issue in our work, as we evaluate the healthcare needs of our patients at the time of the exam and as part of the discharge and referral process. And NSVRC has made it easier to understand and apply the research–here are some other research translations if you’re interested:

Key Findings from Sexual Violence Victimization and Associations with Health in a Community Sample of African American Women

Key Findings on Sexual Violence from the “Global status report on violence prevention 2014”

And while this isn’t a research translation, it is a research brief to which I still refer folks (even though it’s from 2012) since the information is still relevant:

Sexual Violence and Health: Research Brief (PDF)

{Related: new JAMA Pediatrics article, Difference-in-Differences Analysis of the Association Between State Same-Sex Marriage Policies and Adolescent Suicide Attempts (Full-Text)}

A reader recently asked about the risk of STDs in cases where the patient reported only oral penetration. She wanted to know what the recommendations were around counseling patients, and which infections, in particular, were concerning. The CDC actually has a fact sheet on this issue (that includes where the research is lacking), and while the information is meant for the lay public, it does a nice job of providing an overview of the issue that would certainly be useful to clinicians, as well. And you know I do love me a good references section, which this one has. So if nothing else, check it out for a deep dive on the STD literature. Recently updated, too.