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Standards in Nursing & Midwifery 
Nursing Standard for practice No 3 / 2008
MANAGEMENT OF VICTIMS/SURVIVVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
DEFINITION
“Sexual assault” means an act of nonconsensual sexual conduct or sexual penetration, as defined in Section…………………………of the Criminal Code of ………………..
“Sexual assault survivor” means a person who presents for hospital emergency services in relation to injuries or trauma resulting from a sexual assault.
AIM
“It is being increasingly recognized that there is a need to strengthen the quality of existing services that support and provide care to women and girls who have experienced sexual violence”(WHO, 2004).
OBJECTIVE
• To increase knowledge and skills of nurses in the management of care provided to victim/survivors of sexual assault.
• Provide a victim centered approach which is defined as the systematic focus on the needs and concerns of sexual assault victim/survivor.
• To ensure a compassionate and sensitive delivery of care to victim/survivors in a non- judgmental manner.
MANAGEMENT
• Victim/survivor of sexual assault must report to the Police Station found in the area where the offence has been committed or to the nearest public hospital.
• In case the victim report to the nearest police station a police officers will have to convey the victim to the Casualty Department of the nearest Regional Hospital for emergency treatment and follow up.
• The charge nurse or the Nursing Officer, once getting the initial history of sexual assault will have to inform the Police officer on duty at the casualty department because of medico-legal follow up.
• The victim will have to be seen on a fast tract by the doctor for any emergency treatment if needed and keeping in mind the personal integrity of the aggrieved person.
• Arrangements have to be made to have the victim examined by the Police Medical Officer (PMO) at the earliest.
• For all reported case of sexual assault admission is mandatory.
NURSING RESPONSIBILITY
• Nurse attending to victim/survivor of sexual assault must inform the latter that, to preserve evidence for collection it is very helpful NOT to:
• Shower, bathe or douche
• Brush or comb hair
• Eat or drink anything
• Smoke
• Use the bathroom
• Brush teeth or gargle
• Change clothes (if changed, clothes worn at the time of assault must be kept in plastic or brown paper bag in a safe and secured place until handed over to the Police officer attending the case).
• Nurse must properly record the handing over of belongings of the victim/survivor to the Police officer (date, time, items etc).
• Consent must be obtained from the victim/survivor prior to be examined by the PMO. In case of Child victim, examination must be carried out in the presence of the Child Welfare Officer (CWO) who is available on Hot line 113 and 119 for adult victims. The CWO will arrange for psychological support for the child as and when required.
• Privacy, confidentiality and universal precautions must be maintained at all time.
• Admission of victim/survivor of sexual assault must be done to specific ward for female adults and in case of child victim in the Pediatric ward as already earmarked by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life.
• The Ward Manager/Charge Nurse must inform other Medical Officers (Gynecologist or Pediatrician, Psychologist, Medical Social Worker) about the case so that they can arrange to attend to the victim/survivor at the hospital.
• Medical examination of the victim/survivor is undertaken by the PMO in the presence of a Woman Police Constable (for female adults) and CWO in case of child victim as well as assisted by a nurse in both cases.
• Arrangements must be made for children victims to be treated in the presence of their mother /close female relative.
• All specimens/swabs are collected by the PMO for forensic examinations.
• Provide appropriate treatment for HIV/AIDS.
• Provide oral and written information concerning the possibility of infection, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy resulting from sexual assault.
• Emergency contraception
• Safety and well being of the victim/survivor of sexual assault take priority in all matters and procedures.
• Keep appropriate record and ensure safety of documents at Ward level for all admission of victim/survivors of sexual assault.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Victim/survivors of sexual assault have rights which include but are not limited to:
• Being treated with fairness, dignity and respect.
• Being informed about the status of their case.
• Consulting with the attorney.
• Having restitution ordered.
• Being informed of the present and heard at critical stages of the criminal justice process.
• Being free from harassment, intimidation or abuse by the attacker or someone acting on the person's behalf.
• Being informed of the results of any court-ordered HIV testing.
• Obtained HIV test as well as the right to obtain a court order requiring the offender to submit to an HIV test.
• Have access to emergency contraception which can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual assault.
• Receiving information about resources in the community.
• Child victims/survivors have the right to information at a language level they can understand.
Special notice
Please contact the Nursing Council Nursing of Mauritius on nursingcouncil@intnet.mu if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this Nursing standard.
Final date of comment: December 2008
Expiry date : December 2009
List of Standard in Nursing Practice
