Receiving a forensic medical exam without participating in the criminal justice process: what will it mean?
As a result of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization of 2005, state governments must develop processes by which victims of sexual assault can receive a forensic medical exam without being required to cooperate with law enforcement, or participate in the criminal justice system. The benefits and barriers of five different models are reviewed: nonreport evidence collection, anonymous report, confidential mandated reporting, victimless prosecution or nonparticipation approach, and the military model of restricted and unrestricted reporting. As a result of VAWA mandates, hospitals and forensic nursing programs are confronted with additional issues related to evidence handling, transfer, and storage.


CONCLUSIONS
Forensic nurses will play an important role in bringing their individual jurisdictions into compliance with the VAWA mandates.
Price
Bonnie
B
Forensic Nurse Examiner Program, St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Virginia 23226, USA. ernursn@aol.com
D000465:Algorithms; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000458:organization & administration; D003625:Data Collection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D053604:Forensic Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement / Q000379:methods; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D017146:Models, Organizational; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011902:Rape / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D013219:State Government