2014/11/24

KWCH12 November 20, 2014: Nurses collect evidence to help solve rape case

The program, located at Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph, started 20 years ago. The goal was to provide more education and training in how to handle patients of sexual assault.

"Traditionally our patients were cared for in the emergency room setting," said Diana Schunn, who helped pave the way for the program to start in Wichita. "I think that in our own best efforts we didn't get a lot of education originally, so we fumbled through trying to take care of a patient and patients knew that. Patients deserve more than that. They need to know that when they come in they'll have someone who is highly trained in any situation."

Now the program participates in a collaborative response for victims of sexual assault, working with sexual assault advocates and local authorities.

"The first and foremost focus is always on the health care of the patient," said Schunn. "Then secondarily we have the opportunity to identify and collect evidence."

According to Via Christi's website, "the ability to provide images immediately to prosecutors has allowed several cases to be charged within 48-72 hours of the assault."

"Certainly that is the cherry on top," said Schunn. "When that DNA comes forward and can help in the investigation process and really be able to connect the dots to those missing pieces when we don't have an identified offender."

Four nurses are nationally certified as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) through the Nursing Certification Board.

"We're not only trained in the medical piece," said Tina Peck, Coordinator for the Via Christi Forensic Nursing Program. "Forensic nursing is bridging the gap between medical and that legal process." more