Forensic nurses are often the ones who interview and examine victims of sexual crimes, collect evidence, collaborate with law enforcement officials and provide expert testimony.

In a 2006 forward to the book, Forensic Nursing: a Handbook for Practice, Vice President Joseph Biden wrote, “Forensic nurses play an integral role in bridging the gap between law and medicine. They should be in each and every emergency room.”

There is incredible value to having them there. Victims of sexual assault suffer physically and psychologically at the hands of their attackers. Without quality, sensitive health care, they may be forced to wait for long periods of time before they can be seen by already overworked staff. They can be further traumatized during the invasive medical examinations, interviews, and evidence collection.