IAFN Announces the Release of the National Protocol for Sexual Abuse Medical Forensic Exams: Pediatric

ELKRIDGE, Md., April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Recognizing that the care of the prepubescent child following sexual abuse is significantly different than that of the adolescent or adult, and responding to the need for a guiding document, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) partnered with the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) to develop the National Protocol for Sexual Abuse Medical Forensic Examinations: Pediatric (Pediatric SAFE Protocol)

This much awaited protocol is designed to provide guidance for those who serve some of our most vulnerable victims of sexual abuse.

• The Pediatric SAFE Protocol was developed through a collaborative process using national experts represented by child abuse pediatricians, pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE's), children's hospitals, emergency departments, child advocacy centers, community and systems-based advocacy programs, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and federal partners.
• The goal of the Pediatric SAFE Protocol is to provide evidence based, trauma-informed recommendations for health care providers who conduct sexual abuse medical forensic examinations of children.
• The Pediatric SAFE Protocol offers guidance for multidisciplinary agencies that coordinate with health care providers in order to facilitate medical care for this population that addresses both the acute and longer term health needs these children face.

In addition to the Pediatric SAFE Protocol, the Office on Violence Against Women has funded a corresponding Technical Assistance Project in partnership with the International Association of Forensic Nurses, entitled "Kids TA".   The Kids TA project is designed to disseminate the Pediatric SAFE Protocol and provide education and resources to all sexual abuse responders regarding the unique needs of the sexually abused, prepubescent child. 

With more than 3,300 members from 24 countries, the International Association of Forensic Nurses has a mission to provide leadership in forensic nursing practice by developing, promoting, and disseminating information internationally about forensic nursing science. The Association offers board certification for sexual assault nurse examiners who care for Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A®) and Pediatric (SANE-P®) patients. For more information, visit www.ForensicNurses.org.

SOURCE International Association of Forensic Nurses

Related Links

http://www.ForensicNurses.org