Category: Sexual Assault

The Sexual Violence Justice Institute (MNCASA) is hosting a webinar April 22nd at 12pm CT–Protocol Development: Applying Research to Practice. From the announcement:

At some point, most SART teams write a response protocol. How do teams create and write effective protocols? This webinar will explore how teams can use research to influence practice when designing and writing protocols. For example, we know anecdotally and through research that offenders prey on or target victims who are less likely to be believed. If all responders applied this research, they would expect a victim to be someone with less power. Protocols would be written that address and reflect the circumstances of those victims with high levels of vulnerability and perceived low levels of credibility. How do team leaders help their teams design protocols that create the conditions for more victims to experience justice and healing? We will explore this topic and look at options that may make a difference in victims’ likelihood of accessing and reporting th the criminal justice system. Discussion will include ways that teams might influence public policy.

I had hoped to post this last week, but my parent’s house (still) has dial-up speed internet, so getting any video to load was impossible. Many of you have already seen this, but just in case you haven’t, it’s a terrific and simple message:

NCVLI is hosting a webinar March 27th from 12-1:30 pm PT: The Hurdles Victims of Human Trafficking Face. The session is part of their Protecting Polyvictims Rights Project.

The FDA released a warning today that azithromycin may exacerbate existing QT prolongation leading to fatal arrhythmias. Per today’s statement: “Health care professionals should consider the risk of torsades de pointes and fatal arrhythmia when considering treatment options with azithromycin or alternative antibacterial drugs.”

(More after the jump)

SAFEta has a free webinar coming up April 11th: Caring for Survivors with Physical and Developmental Disabilities. The session will be held at 2pm ET, and is meant for a multidisciplinary audience. Presenters are Nancy Smith and Shirley Pacely.

I confess that I am surprised that there remain questions regarding the issue of victim advocacy access for all sexual assault patients. The best possible forensic clinicians simply cannot meet all of the needs of the sexual assault patient, and the role of the clinician is distinct from that of the victim advocate. HIPAA is not a reason to limit access, and where this issue continues to be a struggle, please read the latest EVAW bulletin (PDF), which is a follow-up to the original training bulletin. Even if you have fantastic collaboration and access, the bulletin is a good reminder of how we can frame the issue, how are respective roles differ, and what the research says about the impact of victim advocacy on patient outcomes.

I am pleased to announce that IAFN and NSVRC are offering a 6 week online SANE Sustainability course, beginning in April. I will be teaching it, along with Jennifer Pierce-Weeks, and it will be specifically aimed at the issues that impact program managers, such as budgeting, recruitment and retention, and more. There is an application process, and a limited number of spots are available, so please note the deadline in the announcement. A second offering of this course will occur in late summer. All of the details after the jump.