Embracing Body Sovereignty During Medical Forensic Examinations

There have been reports of instances of interaction with healthcare, for which a patient may have felt as though they were treated as if they were just a sum of physical parts that need fixing. This type of interaction can lead to the development of mistrust with the healthcare system, leaving the patient feeling dehumanized. By contrast, when a medical forensic exam is conducted by a trained clinician, the exam process can be empowering to patients that have experienced interpersonal violence, especially those that are American Indian/Alaska Native. The exam process allows these patients to receive medical care in a way that encourages body sovereignty. The promotion of patient’s having control over their own body is embedded throughout the medical forensic exam process. It embodies the essence of patient-centered care by asking the patient, instead of taking from the patient. Allowing the establishment of physical boundaries instead of breaching boundaries, while providing options to the patient. This approach may feel really important to American Indian/Alaska Native individuals. National guidance documents, such as the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations Adult/Adolescents, recommends that care be provided to patients that have experienced sexual violence, in a manner that shifts the power dynamics from the clinician as the healer, to the patient, the person in need of healing.


Presenters:
Chenel Vanden Berk, BSFS, JD, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) and Kelsey Morris, M.A, International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)

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This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-23-GK-03969-INDI awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are these of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.