Wasatch Forensic Nurses

Wasatch Forensic Nurses (wfn) continues to operate and has sustained providing care to patients of rape, sexual assault and interpersonal violence for 21 years. Year over year, the demand for exams continues to rise. In 2022 we provided care to 865 patients. Of these cases, 68 were for interpersonal violence. We saw a rise in interpersonal violence exams in 2022, in part, due to the funding available from the commission on criminal and juvenile justice ccjj. We were awarded a grant through ccjj from federal funds via the byrne justice assistance grant for equipment, training and payment of interpersonal violence exams. The funding allowed wfn to provide additional services and training, not previously funded at the state level. In december 2022, wfn facilitated a day and a half, virtual strangulation workshop for criminal justice and medical professionals throughout the state of Utah. We had over 250 participants the first day and 220 participants the second day. Many of those who participated throughout the state requested the training be offered annually. We had presenters from Utah, Arizona and other states, as well as medical, law enforcement and prosecutorial partners that were able to speak directly to various disciplines involved in the work of interpersonal violence. Because the training was grant funded, we were able to offer it free of charge to all attendees. This allowed rural agencies/professionals and others with limited funding to benefit from the information presented. On november 5, 2023, wfn held a fundraising event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Wasatch Forensic Nurses. The communities we work in were very generous with donations for our silent auction. We had over 70 donations from various private businesses and companies in Utah. We were very fortunate to hold an in-person fundraising event where we were able to bring our team and community together for an evening of enjoyment. Throughout our fundraising efforts, we were able to educate several in the community when asking for donations. We found this to be one of the most successful and important parts of our efforts. Our silent auction and in- person raffle allowed wfn to collect upwards of 15,000.00 in donations which greatly assisted our organization. Throughout 2022, wfn continued to offer preceptorships to Forensic Nurses from rural counties. In 2022 we hosted three Forensic Nurses who precepted with our program for three days at a time. Preceptees respond to all calls with our team during the time they spend with us. The program was grant funded through the Utah coalition against sexual assault, allowing teams who sent Nurses, to have their Nurses attend training at no cost. Nurses who attend receive training and often respond to more cases in one weekend than their team may see in one year. It allows them to sharpen their skillset in Forensic nursing and stay up to date on the latest updates in the field, while observing cases with our team. Wfn continues to be a leader in the field of Forensic nursing in the state of Utah, caring for a majority of sexual assault and interpersonal violence patients in the state, due to the service area we cover. Numbers reported from the state of Utah crime lab indicate that wfn submits 60% of the sexual assault kits to the crime lab annually. Wfn continues to work with community partners, serve on various committees regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. Furthermore, we strive to offer agency specific training to hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors and others and gather statistical information that has assisted in enhancing Forensic nursing, evidence collection and legislative efforts to ensure victim services remain, are prioritized and are not only able to continue , but become strengthened in the state of Utah.