IAFN is pleased to announce that it is hosting a free webinar, HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis and Sexual Assault, on Thursday, July 2, 2009, 2:30-3:30pm, EDT.  This event is presented as a part of the IAFN SAFEta Webinar Series.  To register for this webinar, visit this link now! 

 

The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission will release their final report on the elimination of sexual abuse in correctional and detention facilities on June 23, 2009. The standards and report, statutorily required by the Prison Rape Elimination Act, will be provided to Congress, the President, the Attorney General, and selected Federal and State officials and will be made available to the general public on their website. To learn more, visit www.nprec.us.

"Ensuring Forensic Medical Exams for All Sexual Assault Victims: A Toolkit for States and Territories": Every state and territory receiving STOP (Services • Training • Officers • Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Grant Program (STOP Program) formula grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), must certify by January 5, 2009, that it is in compliance with the revised forensic medical examination requirements of the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005) in order to remain eligible for funding. This means that states must ensure that victims of sexual assault can get a forensic medical exam free of charge or with full reimbursement regardless of whether they report the crime to police or otherwise cooperate with the criminal justice system. A Toolkit for states and local communities to utilize in developing policies is available at:  DOWNLOAD TOOLKIT .  The Toolkit was supported by Award No. 2007-TA-AX-K003 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Announcing a Special Collection of Online Learning Tools on Violence Against Women. This collection provides a sampling of available online learning with subject matter related to violence against women prevention and intervention.  Materials meet these 4 criteria:  Free, available on line, interactive, and self-guided.  The materials can be used for staff development or as tools for training groups.  For more information visit  the VAWnet website. 

The annual CDC report Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance finds that chlamydia and gonnorhea cases topped 1.4 million in 2007.  These are the most commonly reported infectious diseases in the United States, and continue to pose a serious threat to fertility.  Syphyllis once felt to be on the verge of elimination is also on the rise, having a 15.2% increase in 2007.  The full report is available on the CDC web site at this link.   

The National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations Download PDF Request CD-ROM   The National Training Standards for Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners Download PDF Request Technical Assistance Access our technical assistance specialist with an electronic request Request Assistance Locate a Program Find hospital and community-based programs serving adolescent and adult victims of sexual assault Find Programs