Sexual Assault Training Question

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I need some statistics for my Paramedic Class Project.

As an EMT-B or EMT-P, have you had any training in handling Sexual Assault victims and the evidence you may encounter?

Thanks,

Bob
 
unless they require medical treatment, we send them off with PD, and usually PD we take them anyways they have an assigned hospital for just that with medical personnel that have additional training in that area.
 
Yes, I have. We had a SART/SARN nurse come in during paramedic school who went over them with us. She showed us a evidence collection kit, and explained what happens during the exam. It was really helpful to learn how the exam is done because it makes it easier to plan for what they need. She also went over how to deal with the patient emotionally.

Her thoughts were that unless the pt has been seriously injured and needs bleeding control etc that what we really need to do pre-hospital is provide emotional support, write down anything the pt says, don't question them, let them lead the conversation, and help preserve evidence.

The biggest thing is that all of the pts personal belongings need to be looked after since there may be evidence on them. On a suspected SA (or even a serious regular assault), NOTHING of the pts touches the ambulance floor, it is placed either on the gurney with the pt, or in a paper pillow case*. This helps prevent cross contamination. Once we move the pt to the hospital bed I also carefully fold up the sheets (which are paper) so that anything on them ends up in the middle, and then those get placed in a collection bag.


*I honestly don't remember why now, but paper is better than plastic. I think it has to do with evidence degradation.
 
It was touched on in EMT class.

I work in a University OB-GYN clinic and have treated victims of sexual assault and rape. I have on-the-job training from our physicians for handling these cases, but we usually see these patients days or weeks after the assault.

In April I'll be starting a 60 hour class to volunteer as a sexual assault crisis hotline operator. After volunteering in that position for 3 months and undergoing more training, I'll be a volunteer sexual assault hospital advocate, accompanying survivors in the ER, acting as a liason and support-person, essentially.

I'm considering becoming a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner one day after I've worked as an RN for a while.
 
Aidey said:
Yes, I have. We had a SART/SARN nurse come in during paramedic school who went over them with us. She showed us a evidence collection kit, and explained what happens during the exam. It was really helpful to learn how the exam is done because it makes it easier to plan for what they need. She also went over how to deal with the patient emotionally.

Her thoughts were that unless the pt has been seriously injured and needs bleeding control etc that what we really need to do pre-hospital is provide emotional support, write down anything the pt says, don't question them, let them lead the conversation, and help preserve evidence.

The biggest thing is that all of the pts personal belongings need to be looked after since there may be evidence on them. On a suspected SA (or even a serious regular assault), NOTHING of the pts touches the ambulance floor, it is placed either on the gurney with the pt, or in a paper pillow case*. This helps prevent cross contamination. Once we move the pt to the hospital bed I also carefully fold up the sheets (which are paper) so that anything on them ends up in the middle, and then those get placed in a collection bag.


*I honestly don't remember why now, but paper is better than plastic. I think it has to do with evidence degradation.
Click to expand...

This, pretty much.
 
Oh yeah, also, my gloves get put in with the sheets too.
 
Couple things to add to that...
- Know which hospitals in your area can deal with this kind of patients. Not all hospitals are equipped and have staff trained for evidence collection.
- Do not automatically assume female patient will be more comfortable being treated by female EMT/medic. I read that many rape victims actually prefer being treated by males as they find them less judgmental or something like this.
 
What ever happened to "Rape Kits"?

Back in the day, when such issues were starting to be dealt with, many of us carried a "Rape Kit" which had everything necessary in it to list details of the event, treatment, comments of those present and preserve evidence. It had a physical evaluation form with notations via diagram on what to particularly document. It was simple and once you became familiar with it, easy to use in any case where there was doubt.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

What I really need is a short yes or no on the issue of whether or not you've had training in handling evidence. If not, I need to know that too. What I need to do is document numbers of people who have and have not had the training.

Thanks,

Bob
 
Yes. In Medic school we had a SANE nurse come and talk to us and show us the stuff
 
Foxbat said:
- Do not automatically assume female patient will be more comfortable being treated by female EMT/medic. I read that many rape victims actually prefer being treated by males as they find them less judgmental or something like this.
Click to expand...

I have heard this and it was mentioned once in another thread a bit like this. Rid mentioned it too I think. Does anyone know of any resources/literature that suggest this so I can bring it up in various classes?

People here seem to trip over themselves to get a female copper/ambo, and I'd like to present an alternative point of view on the matter.
 
Melclin said:
I have heard this and it was mentioned once in another thread a bit like this. Rid mentioned it too I think. Does anyone know of any resources/literature that suggest this so I can bring it up in various classes?
Click to expand...
It was in my sociology textbook... I will try to find it.
 
Complex answer, as usual. Sorry.

EMT training in 1978: heck no.
RN school mid Eighties: no.
On the job: not as EMT, learned what to collect when booking a suspect.

Assess, treat, throw nothing away, take notes at once and turn them over or presrve them and tell police (get business cards).

Sociologically(which means teetering on the generalization trap) females mostly are pretty uneasy with males after such an incident. Again and again, treat the individual. Sitting at the scene and talking about it is probably not what you need to be doling, but be sure to coordinate with LE.

Oh, yes...some rape victims are lying. Again and again, treat the individual.

And again.
 
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Just a little nitpicking, some are speaking as if the only sexual assault victims you will treat are female.

Although less common, males can be sexual assault victims too.
 
Sasha said:
Just a little nitpicking, some are speaking as if the only sexual assault victims you will treat are female.

Although less common, males can be sexual assault victims too.
Click to expand...

True that, but from what I understand, the vast vast vast vast majority of male victims will never speak a word of it, let alone call 911. It's a pride issue.
 
they are training you to perform sexaul assaults. Hey I know some people need to be assaulted sexually but it is out my scope. B) Okay thats bad.
 
eveningsky339 said:
True that, but from what I understand, the vast vast vast vast majority of male victims will never speak a word of it, let alone call 911. It's a pride issue.
Click to expand...

Your talking about a straight male community. It isn't all we treat.

Your also assuming the victim is the one that called. Again not all victims get the choice as circumstances may be beyond their control. Does the word Bobbit mean anything? Imagine your the ambulance crew that has to look for missing pieces.
 
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Foxbat said:
Couple things to add to that...
- Know which hospitals in your area can deal with this kind of patients. Not all hospitals are equipped and have staff trained for evidence collection.
- Do not automatically assume female patient will be more comfortable being treated by female EMT/medic. I read that many rape victims actually prefer being treated by males as they find them less judgmental or something like this.
Click to expand...
Many survivors prefer females and yes its inappropriate to assume but it is okay to ask. Many times they will tell you what they want either verbally, shaking their heads, or by body language. As it tends to present it feels more judgmental from a male than a female, thats why many have all female care teams.
 
EMT2025 said:
Many survivors prefer females and yes its inappropriate to assume but it is okay to ask. Many times they will tell you what they want either verbally, shaking their heads, or by body language. As it tends to present it feels more judgmental from a male than a female, thats why many have all female care teams.
Click to expand...


15 year ROSC !!!

And I strongly encourage you to cite where you get this fact, that survivors prefer females....and actually there are numerous MALE SANE RNs....

Thus far, you have posted an unsupported opinion, projection of your own personal beliefs.
 
We may have rosc but what's the modified rankin score for this?
 
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