Ruth Brown- Idaho Press-Tribune- NAMPA – Starting next month, the Nampa Family Justice Center will have nine registered nurses who are trained to conduct sexual assault exams.
Currently, rape victims must be taken to Boise for sexual assault exams because there aren’t any trained nurses available in Canyon County, according to NFJC director Criselda De La Cruz-Valdez.
The center made the announcement Friday during a celebration of its 10th anniversary.
After receiving a grant for nearly $76,000, the Nampa Family Justice Center will be able to have a nurse trained in sexual assault exams on-call at all times. The money comes from a STOP Sexual Assault grant.
The training calls the trained nurses SAFE nurses, which is an acronym for a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner.
SAFE nurses undergo more than 40 hours of training, in addition to already being a licensed registered nurse.
A sexual assault exam, or rape kit, involves a physical examination or gynecological examination which looks for evidence of sexual contact or abuse. In addition to DNA samples, the exam looks for injuries or signs of trauma, among other issues.
Nampa’s St. Luke’s Hospital, both Saint Alphonsus locations and West Valley Medical Center have partnered with the agency to use the nurses.
Eventually, De La Cruz-Valdez said the justice center wants to be able to perform the exams in its office, rather than the hospital. She said it will also strengthen partnerships among law enforcement, hospitals and the center.
To view original article click here: Canyon County to gain nine SAFE nurses.