Forensic Nurse Examiner
In 1999 Turning Point led the effort to move the care of sexual assault survivors from crowded emergency rooms to a site specially designed for their needs. Turning Point's Forensic Nurse Examiners Program is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide comprehensive medical forensic examinations to adult and child sexual assault survivors. To meet the immediate physical and emotional needs of sexual assault survivors, specially trained nurses and advocates provide medical forensic exams and crisis intervention. The program links survivors of sexual assault with supportive follow up services provided by Turning Point and is provided free of charge at a site donated by Mt. Clemens Regional Medical Center.
Since the inception of the program, the quality of emergency services for sexual assault survivors in Macomb County has improved dramatically. When asked "What was the most helpful about the program?" survivors made the following comments.
- "Knowing I was safe."
- "Getting clean clothes."
- "The fact that someone was here at 3:00am."
- "Someone I could talk to."
- "My Healing began then."
About the Nurses
Turning Point's FNEP nurses provide a comprehensive exam, while putting the needs of their patient as their top priority. They have earned the respect of multiple law enforcement agencies, health care organizations and the members of the judicial system. The program has been highlighted in several publications because of its impact on the criminal justice system and sexual assault survivors. In addition to providing emergency services the Forensic Nurses are also available to provide expert witness testimony at court proceedings, suspect exams at local law enforcement agencies, and trace evidence collection at homicide scenes as requested by the Macomb County Medical Examiner.
Turning Point's Forensic Nurse Examiner Program consists of a dedicated team of nurses who have completed extensive training and have been certified by the International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN). A minimum of 40 hours of clinical training and 60 hours of didactic training is required for certification. Check out our resources page for links to the IAFN and SANE-SART for more in-depth information.
Turning Point provides yearly conferences on sexual assault for the health care professionals law enforcement, and advocates. Check our Event Calendar for upcoming training dates. Turning Point also provides advanced training's for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and for caring for pediatric sexual assault patients.
About the First Response Advocates
First Response Advocates complete 65-hours of sexual assault and crisis intervention training. They are available to speak with sexual assault survivors confidentially, offering support throughout process and providing survivors with information on sexual assault, what happens next, the criminal justice system, and other support or resources they may need. Advocates are also available to assist family and friends in understanding sexual assault and helping them cope with the trauma their loved one has experiences. Turning Point provides yearly advocacy training's for community members wanting to volunteer for this program. Check out the Event Calendar for upcoming dates.
How to Contact FNEP
If you have been sexually assaulted call 911 or Turning Point's Crisis line at 586-463-6990
If you are interested in joined FNEP, either as a Nurse or First Response Advocate, please call the FNEP business line at 586-792-0051.
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