IAFN PROJECTS





Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)

National Protocol for Domestic Violence Medical Forensic Examinations

Through a targeted technical assistance (TA) project with OVW, IAFN is partnering with a multidisciplinary group of subject matter experts (SMEs) to determine the best practices for delivering specialized, trauma-informed, comprehensive medical forensic examinations to individuals who have experienced domestic violence. The creation of this National Protocol for Domestic Violence Medical Forensic Examinations will provide the target audience (healthcare clinicians and other first responders) with needed guidance to address the broad medical forensic needs of patients who disclose domestic violence in an effort to improve the healthcare and criminal justice system response, and subsequently victim outcomes.


The Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Technical Assistance (SAFEta) Project

Since 2004, IAFN has partnered with a multidisciplinary group of SMEs to provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) around implementing the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations Adult/Adolescent 2nd Edition, the National Protocol for Sexual Abuse Medical Forensic Examinations: Pediatric, the National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: a Multidisciplinary Approach and the National SAFE Training Standards 2nd Edition, including the Minimum Training Recommendations for all clinicians who care for patients who have been sexually assaulted or abused. A major project resource accessible to all is the corresponding SAFEta.org website.


Through a targeted technical assistance (TA) project with OVW, IAFN has partnered with a multidisciplinary group of subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop and disseminate T/TA around implementing effective options surrounding billing, coding and reimbursement processes related to the sexual assault medical forensic exam in an effort to improve access to, and payment for, medical forensic sexual assault exams for victims, including those who do not wish to report the crime at the time of the exam

NICCSA (National Indian Country Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault) now is called the ISAAC (Indigenous Sexual Assault and Abuse Clearinghouse) Project

Supplement the work of the current National Indian Country Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault that will provide NICCSA programming and services to address the unique environmental, cultural, and traditional needs for Alaska tribal governments and villages, provide technical assistance and training to tribal governments and tribal courts on effective responses to sexual assault through web-based technology, regional training and onsite technical assistance, Provide technical assistance and training for tribal communities to assist them with enhancing or establishing coordinated community response models such as a Sexual Assault Nurse/Forensic Examiner (SANE/SAFE) project or a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).


Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

Through a technical assistance (TA) project with OVC, IAFN has partnered with a multidisciplinary group of subject matter experts (SMEs) to provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) to the four OVC-funded demonstration sites in establishing and/or maintaining quality, patient-centered, trauma-informed and evidence-based telehealth sexual assault medical forensic examinations, while ensuring that victim safety, autonomy, and self-agency are kept at the heart of care. This project involves providing assistance T/TA to these programs and others who are providing teleSAFE services.


Through a technical assistance (TA) project with OVC, IAFN has partnered with a multidisciplinary group of subject matter experts (SMEs) to provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) to selected OVC-funded campus and community SANE programs throughout the US and its territories. The goal for this project is to utilize the expertise and experience of IAFN, its project partners and OVC to deliver site-specific T/TA to the select campus and community SANE programs throughout the US and its territories.