The medical team consist of a State of Florida appointed pediatrician, board certified pediatricians, and a team of board-certified Nurse Practitioners (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses). The team of healthcare clinicians actively participate in on going education to promote best practice, patient-centered, trauma-informed care to child victims of physical abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, and to adult survivors of sexual assault. They also operate in compliance with established laws and the Office of the Attorney General and Florida Department of Health protocols.
The medical examinations performed serves as only one part of the child abuse or sexual assault investigation. The medical findings will be considered along with other parts of the investigation when Child Protective Services (CPS) and/or the law enforcement officer decide what to do next with the case. The team will also present to court on behalf of victims and survivors, serving as fact witnesses or expert witnesses to the case.
The healthcare team, through partnership with
Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Broward, offers access to no cost sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening to sexual assault patients at the time of the sexual assault forensic medical examination. In addition, sexual assault patients presenting within 72hours of the abuse/assault, are provided access to no cost STI and pregnancy prophylaxis, based on best practice guidelines and related risk factors.
With a focus on patient-centered care, the team of healthcare clinicians, based on patients’ needs, will provide a coordinated multidisciplinary respond to any Broward County hospital where victims and survivors may present as medical care is the priority. Through the Prison Rights Elimination Act (PREA), the team of healthcare clinicians will and also respond to the four main Broward County jails to provide the sexual assault forensic medical exam with evidence collection on incarcerated survivors.
An ongoing goal of the medical team is to continually improve access to trauma-informed care to victims of child abuse and neglect, and to adult sexual assault survivors of all ages, gender, race, and ethnicity. Thus, the medical team actively shares their expertise, by providing ongoing community trainings to stakeholders and community partners, colleges and university, and any area there is an identified need.
