Tulsa Forensic Nursing Services
WHAT'S NEW
Non reports--
Although every sexual assault victim has the right to report the
crime, not all choose to do so. Patients 18 years of age and
older, have the option of reporting the incident or not.
Regardless of whether they report the incident, all victims have
the right to a medical forensic examination, crisis intervention,
counseling, support groups and medical care. Whatever the
circumstances, you did not deserve it, it is not your fault and you
do not have to cope alone.
120 hrs for adult and adolescent--
A sexual assault nurse examiner can evaluate an adult or adolescent
victim whose assault has occurred within the previous 120 hours (5
days).
FAQ
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is defined as any sexual activity involving a person
who does not or cannot (due to alcohol, drugs, or some sort of
incapacitation) consent.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,
"sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a
person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention."
Sexual assault can describe many things, including:
- rape, including partner and marital rape
- unwanted sexual contact (touching or grabbing)
- unwelcome exposure of another's body, exhibitionism, or
voyeurism
- child sexual abuse
- incest or molestation
- sexual harassment
- sexual exploitation of clients by therapists, doctors,
dentists, or other professionals
What to do if you have been sexually assaulted?
1. Go to a Safe Place
- After experiencing a traumatic event such as sexual assault, it
is important to find a place where you feel comfortable and safe
from harm
2. Call for Assistance
- DVIS/Call Rape 24 hour crisis line- 918.7.HELP.ME
(918-743-5763)
- Call 911
3. Seek Medical Attention
- To check for injuries; you may have injuries that you
can't see or feel
- To prevent sexually transmitted infections
- To prevent pregnancy
- To collect evidence (For adults evidence collection does not
require you to place a report with the police or press charges; it
preserves these options for the future.)
4. Preserve Evidence
For the
purposes of evidence collection, we suggest that you
avoid:
- drinking
- eating
- showering/bathing
- brushing your teeth
- combing your hair
- changing your clothes
If you have done any of these things, evidence can still
be collected and it is still important to seek medical
attention. If you have changed your
clothes, take the clothes you were wearing at the time of the
assault to the hospital in a paper bag (not a plastic
bag).
How do I know if I've been drugged?
It is often hard to tell. Most victims don't remember being
drugged or assaulted. The victim might not be aware of the attack
until 8 or 12 hours after it occurred. These drugs also leave the
body very quickly. But there are some signs that you might have
been drugged:
- You remember having a drink, but cannot recall anything after
that.
- You feel drunk and haven't drunk any alcohol - or, you feel
like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual.
- You wake up feeling very hung over and disoriented or having no
memory of a period of time.
- You find that your clothes are not on right or torn.
- You feel like you had sex, but you cannot remember
it.
Where can I go for help?
- Call 911
- Call DVIS/Call Rape 24 hour crisis line-
918.7.HELP.ME (918-743-5763)
- Go to a local hospital (Most exams are done in a quiet location
within Hillcrest Medical Center)
How can I help someone who has been sexually
assaulted?
You can help someone who is abused or who has been assaulted by
listening and offering comfort. Go with her or him to the police,
the hospital, or to counseling. Reinforce the message that she or
he is not at fault and that it is natural to feel angry and
ashamed.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge for the forensic medical exam.
Do I have to report it to law enforcement?
Adults over the age 18 are not required to report their assault to
law enforcement.
Emergency Contraceptive
Patients of different ages, social, cultural and
religious/spiritual backgrounds may have varying feelings regarding
acceptable treatment options for pregnancy prevention. The
various options will be explored in detail at the time of the
exam.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Contracting a sexually transmitted infection is typically a concern
of sexual assault patients. Because of this concern it will
be addressed as part of the forensic medical exam. Testing
and treatment will be considered on a case by case basis.
Testing at the time of the initial exam is not typically
performed.
When will the results be back?
To give an exact time is virtually impossible but typically takes a
few weeks to a few months. Analysis of the kit is determined
by the detective investigating the incident. The results will
be supplied to the detective once the analysis is complete.
Maintaining contact with the investigator is important in assisting
with the progression of the case.
How do I find out the investigator in my case?
Contact the law enforcement agency in the city or county where the
crime occurred.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Sexual assault medical and forensic exams
Domestic violence exams
Drug endangered children exams
Elder abuse and neglect exams
OTHER
SERVICES
Convicted offender DNA collection
Suspect exams
SEXUAL
ASSAULT
Sexual assault is defined as any sexual activity involving
a person who does not or cannot (due to alcohol, drugs, or some
sort of incapacitation) consent
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,
"sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a
person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention." Sexual
assault is therefore somewhat of an umbrella term, and can describe
many things, including:
- rape, including partner and marital rape
- unwanted sexual contact (touching or grabbing)
- unwelcome exposure of another's body, exhibitionism, or
voyeurism
- child sexual abuse
- incest or molestation
- sexual harassment
- sexual exploitation of clients by therapists, doctors,
dentists, or other professionals
INTIMATE PARTNER
VIOLENCE
Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs between two people
in a close relationship. The term "intimate partner" includes
current and former spouses and dating partners. IPV exists along a
continuum from a single episode of violence to ongoing
battering.
IPV includes four types of behavior:
- Physical violence is when a person hurts or
tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or other type of
physical force.
- Sexual violence is forcing a partner to take
part in a sex act when the partner does not consent.
- Threats of physical or sexual violence include
the use of words, gestures, weapons, or other means to communicate
the intent to cause harm.
- Emotional abuse is threatening a partner or
his or her possessions or loved ones, or harming a partner's sense
of self-worth. Examples are stalking, name-calling, intimidation,
or not letting a partner see friends and family.
Often, IPV starts with emotional abuse. This behavior can progress
to physical or sexual assault. Several types of IPV may occur
together.
For more information:
Ann Patterson Dooley Family Safety Center
http://www.cityoftulsa.org/public-safety/family-safety-center.aspx
Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault
http://ocadvsa.org
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES/CALL RAPE
http://www.dvis.org/dvis/default.asp
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Sexual Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation
(within national or across international borders) transfer,
harboring, or receipt of persons for the purposes of commercial
sexual exploitation. Sexual trafficking is accomplished by
means of fraud, deception, threat of or use of force, abuse of a
position of vulnerability, and other forms of coercion.
Trafficking of persons exists in two distinct types: labor
trafficking and sexual trafficking. Worldwide, it is estimated that
somewhere between 700,000 and four million women, children and men
are trafficked each year, and no region is unaffected. An
estimated 14,500 to 17,500 women and children are trafficked into
this country each year. There have been reports of trafficking
instances in at least 20 different states, with most cases
occurring in New York, California, and Florida.
For more information:
Oklahoman's Against Trafficking Humans
http://oathcoalition.org
National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) http://nhtrc.polarisproject.org
National Trafficking Tip Line: (888) 373-7888
ELDER
ABUSE
Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing,
intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person
that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.
The specificity of laws varies from state to state, but broadly
defined, abuse may be:
- Physical Abuse - Inflicting, or threatening to
inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or
depriving them of a basic need.
- Emotional Abuse - Inflicting mental pain,
anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal
acts.
- Sexual Abuse - Non-consensual sexual contact
of any kind.
- Exploitation - Illegal taking, misuse, or
concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable
elder.
- Neglect - Refusal or failure by those
responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for
a vulnerable elder.
- Abandonment - The desertion of a vulnerable
elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or
custody of that person.
In the United States, the issue of elder mistreatment is
garnering the attention of the law enforcement, medical, and
research communities as more people are living longer than ever
before. This trend is expected to increase, as the U.S. Census
Bureau projects that more than 62 million Americans will be age 65
or older in 2025, an increase of 78 percent from 2001, and more
than 7.4 million will be age 85 or older, an increase of nearly 68
percent from 2001. This aging population will require more care and
protection than is currently available or possible.
The National Research Council defines elder abuse and mistreatment
as (a) intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk
of harm to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who
stands in a trust relationship to the elder, or (b) failure by a
caregiver to satisfy the elder's basic needs or to protect the
elder from harm. This definition includes financial
exploitation of the elderly as well as physical abuse or
neglect.
For more information:
Oklahoma Department of Human Services, http://www.okdhs.org/programsandservices/aps/apsdefault.htm
Statewide Abuse Hotline: 1-800-522-3511
National Center on Elder Abuse, http://www.ncea.aoa.gov
EDUCATION
OPPORTUNITIES
Domestic Violence Nurse Examiner Course April 24-26, 2012 Tulsa,
OK
This program will provide education to the Registered Nurse and
other individuals that interact with domestic violence
patients. The course is presented as a
multi-disciplinary response to the medical/legal examination.
20 nursing contact hours for continuing education.
TULSA
Domestic Violence Nurse Examiner Course April 24-26, 2012
TULSA
Pediatric SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER Course May 15-18,
2012
2012 SANE OSU Courses
Adult/Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Course
In collaboration with Oklahoma State University Center for
Health Sciences an on-line program is offered that will provide
education to the Registered Nurse who provides care to sexual
assault patients. The course is presented as a
multi-disciplinary response to the medical/legal examination.
This course is consistent with the educational guidelines developed
by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
The registered nurse learns to assess, diagnose, and treat the
sexual assault patient in this flexible course, which offers a
two-day clinical session to apply learned skills. The course
emphasizes the nurse examiner's role and includes evidence
collection, documentation, and reporting. It also details
biological, psychological, and social dynamics in the care of a
sexual assault patient. The Department of Forensic Sciences
sponsors the course in cooperation with the Office of Continuing
Medical Education at the OSU Center for Health Sciences. The City
of Tulsa SANE program provides the instructor.
Session Choices
Online only without clinical session
The online course is equivalent to 55 content hours of
education, with 20 self-paced units, each with its own test. Up to
24 weeks allowed for course completion.
Self-paced course with clinical session
Online portion, described above, may be completed in up to
24 weeks. At least 13 of the 20 online units must be completed
prior to the two-day clinical session, to be held from 8 AM to 5 PM
on dates specified at the OSU-CHS campus. Enrollment is
limited.
For more information contact Kathy Bell at kbell@cityoftulsa.org or
call 918-596-7608 for a complete brochure and registration
information.
RESEARCH
Tulsa's Forensic Nursing Program is a community partner
within the Tulsa Institute for Trauma, Abuse and Neglect
(TITAN) which is an interdisciplinary institute committed to
evidence-based education, scholarship, research, and service that
reduce the incidence and impact of trauma and adversity.
http://www.utulsa.edu/academics/Centers-and-Institutes/tulsa-institute-trauma-abuse-neglect.aspx
AWARDS
U.S. Department of Justice Award for
Public Service 1994
Innovations in State and Local Government from the Ford Foundation
and John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
1994
NOVA (National Organization of Victim Assistance) Distinguished
Service to Victims of Crime 1995
Recognized again in 2002 by the Innovations in Government for
continued efforts
CONTACT
US
Kathy Bell MS, RN
Forensic Nursing Administrator
Tulsa Police Department
600 Civic Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
918-596-7608
kbell@cityoftulsa.org
