Criminal Medical Assistance Seminar highlights a critical role in patient care and justice

Amarillo, Texas (KFDA) – the International Association of Medical Assistants in Texas (IAFN) held a critical seminar, focusing on sexual aggression in Panhandle in Texas.

Examiners of sexual assistant assistants (Sane) are registered nurses who have specialized training in trauma information.

“The program of examination of sexual assistants is at the North -West Hospital in 1975. It started for a better way to collect medical -legal evidence. A better way for it to be collected in a more therapeutic way, instead of doctors to open a rape kit and reading instructions on how to do it, “said Becky O’Neal, the coordinator of the sexual assault examiner.

During the seminar, forensic nurses are trained and focused on identifying and documenting evidence of assault, abuse and trauma.

The seminar serves as a continuous learning opportunity to support nurses, because it collects evidence, provides medical care and provides support to sexual aggression survivors.

The work of a medical -legal nurse exceeds medical treatment. They ensure that the victims receive compassionate care, also keeping crucial evidence to apply the law to ensure justice.

“The examiners of medical assistance of sexual aggression come and give their conclusions about any cases. We have a team of response to sexual aggression in the area and they are also part of that team. Therefore, we work together with the criminal prosecution, the application of the law, the social services, the children’s protection services and the program of sexual assistance examiners, ”said Robert Love, the lawyer of the criminal district of Randall.

With forensic nurses who often serve as a first line of defense in the discovery of crimes, they help to model how cases are managed in hospitals and courtrooms.

“It can be indispensable, I mean it can be a mark or break of a case,” Love said. “Having a medical -legal medical team in our community, we would lose without it.”

The seminar brought together health workers, police officers and community lawyers to discuss the best practices to improve responses to violent crime.

“People have the fear that no one will believe their story. Many people are afraid they might have problems or have done something to make this happen. This cannot be further from the truth. None of us wants to go there and say, “Today I will be sexually assaulted,” said O’Neal. “We can wear what we want to wear, we can go where we want to go and we should feel safe. So it’s just reporting and we’re just encouraging everyone to report. “

Both O’Neal and Love add sexual aggression that reports is a personal decision and it is a challenge, but survivors should know that they are not alone.

“Amarillo cares about the community, we care about you. Police, nurses, hospital, district lawyers, care about you. We want to report, we want to have a safe environment for everyone to live, ”said O’Neal.

The nurses, the law enforcement groups and Advocacy are available to provide support, to ensure safety and to help browse the legal process.