“Virginia’s Healthcare Response to Sexual Assault: Guidelines for the Acute Care of Adult and Post-Pubertal Adolescent Sexual Assault Patients” is now available at: http://www.sexualanddomesticviolencevirginia.org/health.htm.
In 2007, the Governor’s Commission on Sexual Violence recommended the development of a consistent healthcare response to sexual assault. Subsequently, a multidisciplinary team of dedicated healthcare providers, criminal justice professionals, sexual assault victim advocates, and survivors of sexual assault was convened to commence this effort. These new guidelines are the culmination of their efforts, replacing “Virginia’s Hospital Protocol for the Treatment of Sexual Assault Victims” that was developed in 1990.
This new document incorporates recommendations from professionals across Virginia, as well as information from relevant state and national resources on the management of sexual assault patients and the collection of forensic evidence. Recognizing that not all communities or facilities can sustain forensic nursing programs, these guidelines were developed to assist all healthcare providers. It provides:
- Guidance and tools for clinicians providing care to sexual assault patients;
- Guidance for healthcare facilities developing or enhancing policies for the provision of medical and forensic services; and
- Guidance to communities working to establish a coordinated community response to sexual assault.