Every day around the province, sexual assaults take place. And while many never get reported, some do.
In Abbotsford (but few other B.C. communities), those who have sustained a sexual assault – or suspect they may have been – may see a forensic nurse. Such nurses are specially trained to care for people who have experienced, sexual assault, domestic violence and other forms of person-on-person violence. Abbotsford Regional Hospital is just one of five places with such services. Only Nanaimo, Vancouver, Victoria and Surrey also have forensic nurse services.
On Thursday, Abbotsford’s forensic nursing service will host an open house to give the public more insight into what their job involves.
The public will be able to learn how forensic nurses take swabs for DNA testing, document a wound, and use fluorescence to collect evidence that could be used in a criminal investigation.
The open house will take place in the learning centre of ARH’s simulation lab from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.
RELATED: Evidence of violence: forensic nurses balance health care and justice
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
tolsen@abbynews.com