Medical Services
In addition to a Forensic Interview, children that come into our center often require a medical forensic exam to determine their current condition and extent of the abuse.
WCCAC provides 5 levels of exams:
The medical forensic exam is child-led
Because the healing process is different for every child, this will determine if an acute or non-acute physical exam will occur. All exams include a detailed assessment, documenting history, and injuries.
Because the healing process is different for every child, this will determine if an acute or non-acute physical exam will occur. All exams include a detailed assessment, documenting history, and injuries.
This exam will take place if the incident of abuse happened within 120 hours before the exam. Included in an acute sexual abuse exam will be a plan of care, collection of evidence, internal swabs (only after menstrual cycle) testing and prescriptions (if needed).
This exam will take place if the incident of abuse happened after 120 hours (can even be years post-incident) before the exam. Included in an non-acute sexual abuse exam will be a plan of care, testing and prescriptions (if needed).
A SAFE exam looks like a well-child check-up but is for children at risks, such as a child whose sibling has been abused, a child in a domestic violence household, or a child living in a home where family members are using drugs.
Nursing Opportunities
WCCAC provides opportunities for clinical rotation in pediatric and adolescent forensic nursing to assist FN in fulfilling their practicum requirements.
We also provide recertification opportunities in mostly pediatric and adolescent, with some opportunity for adult with developmental delays.
Our nurses fulfill the OAG and IAFN certification levels
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the exam does not harm the child. The exam is child-led, age-specific, and at any point, the child feels uncomfortable the exam will stop. Our nurses follow the child’s wishes and are not made to do anything they don’t want to do. It is emphasized that every body part is special, from the tops of our heads to the tips of our toes, and uses the child’s words when talking about body parts.
At the beginning of the exam the medical history is taken with just the nurse and the child in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.
If the child wishes their caregiver to accompany them after medical history is documented, then the caregiver is allowed into the medical exam.
Comprehensive care includes an initial assessment of the child (height, weight, etc), a more thorough head to toe assessment, creating a plan of care, providing testing if needed, prescriptions if needed, and other resources.
Yes, our medical director oversees and works closely with our Forensic Nurses.
Yes, Forensic Nurses are medical professionals and provide another opportunity for the child’s words to be heard in a court of law.
They also help inform and educate the jury and judge about their findings and about the severity of the abuse that the child received.