title: The "It's No Secret" bra drive: an example of collaborative practice.
abstract: Evidence collection by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) is a crucial part of the forensic medical examination. SANEs attempt to collect all possible evidence including swabs, slides, urine, blood, and clothing. Because biological evidence can be found on underwear, bras, and other clothing, the SANE often asks patients to relinquish these clothing items during the forensic medical examination. Some patients are reluctant to relinquish their bras, for varying reasons. The Riverside County Sexual Assault Multi-Disciplinary Team conducted a bra collection drive, in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The purpose of the bra drive was to enable the SANE to provide a replacement bra in exchange for the patient's bra, which may contain biological evidence. The community response was overwhelming and has already enabled the collection of bras from patients who were otherwise unwilling to give them up.
authors.affiliation: Case Report Editor: Dr. Brian McKenna, Australian Catholic University, Brian.McKenna@mh.org.au Author Affiliation: Sexual Assault Response Team, Riverside County Regional Medical Center.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002140:California; D003020:Clothing; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D012742:Sex Offenses; D013048:Specimen Handling