Survivors Need and Deserve Trauma-Informed Healthcare

When survivors can access trauma-informed healthcare, it makes a big difference in their lives – and the health of our communities. Since 2008, the Vermont Network has proudly housed Vermont’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. The program trains, supports and credentials a community of highly skilled nurses across the state who provide forensic medical care to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and abuse, and collect evidence in accordance with a standardized evidence kit. In 2019, the SANE program changed its name to the Vermont Forensic Nursing Program (VFNP) to reflect the scope of care, expertise and services these highly trained nurses have come to provide throughout the state and beyond.

Each year, forensic nurses in Vermont provide 300-400 forensic medical exams to survivors of sexual harm and intimate partner violence in hospitals and clinics across the state. This work is only possible thanks to the incredible workforce of forensic nurses in Vermont. There are 95 nurses in Vermont who provide this specialized care to adult and adolescent patients and 27 nurses who provide care to pediatric patients. These remarkable nurses work in emergency departments, primary care, reproductive health care and other community care settings throughout our state. The COVID-19 pandemic has put an incredible amount of stress on the healthcare workforce, including forensic nurses who provide essential and trauma responsive care to patients every day. Despite this, forensic nurses tell us that the unique care they are able to survivors regularly sustains and enlivens them in their work during the most challenging of times.

How can you help support this amazing work?

• Tell the nurses in your lives about this essential form of nursing and encourage them to get connected, and learn more about becoming credentialed.
• Ask your local hospital or primary care provider whether they have a forensic nurse on staff.
• Listen to nurses experiences. Forensic nurses tell us that kindness is in short supply in their work these days. Patience and compassion with all nurses providing care supports our workforce across the state.