GCCFN proposes to open and forensics medical clinic as part of the Family Justice Center, as well as train SANE nurses to respond to area hospitals to perform forensic examinations on SA victims.

Proposal Abstract

The Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, Inc. (GCCFN), in collaboration with the Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MSCASA) and Memorial Health Systems (MHS) will implement a new Expanding Access to Sexual Assault Forensic Services project. The Project will meaningfully advance equity and remove barriers to accessing services and opportunities for victims of sexual assault who are members of communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by inequality and disproportionately impacted by crime, violence and victimization (identified as the local Hispanic and Vietnamese communities). GCCN is victim service provider and a rape crisis center.  GCCFN has as its mission support and serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and family members of homicide victims; to educate the community; and to reduce incidences of violence. MSCASA is the statewide sexual assault coalition and provides support, technical assistance, and training for rape crisis centers and SANE programs around Mississippi.  MHS operates three hospitals with emergency departments in the service area and approximately 45 medical clinics. The proposed service area will be Jackson, Harrison, Hancock, George, Stone, and Pearl River counties in southern Mississippi. Identified challenges being addressed are (1) limited access to culturally responsive, high-quality trauma informed forensic sexual assault examinations and follow-up services; and (2) the lack of coordination between law enforcement, medical facilities and GCCFN as service provider creating gaps in connections between victims and available resources

The Goal is to establish a new SANE program offering trauma-informed sexual assault medical exams and victim services using coordinated community response strategies.  The project has identified 5 objectives; (1) increasing the number and availability of qualified health care providers; (2) providing timely, high quality, trauma-informed medical forensic examinations; (3) expanding access to training and clinical experience for SANEs; (4) improving connections to post-assault care and other supportive services; and (5) supporting the local SART.  Through a variety of activities, the Project provides  a road-map for  establishment of a specialized medical forensic clinic outside hospital emergency departments within the Family Justice Center; creation of a centralized referral system for victims of sexual assault to provide connections to non-medical services and resources; filling gaps in the availability of SANE nurses at local hospital settings; and enhancement of training both to medical personnel and community members to increase numbers of qualified medical personal and raise awareness in the community.