abuse, violence, forensic, homelessness

Introduction to Anger, Violence, and Sexual Assault

• Discusses the various forms of anger, violence, and their relationship to sexual assault.

Types of Sexual Assault

• Definition of Rape and Sexual Assault: Nonconsensual sexual activity, including any form of penetration.

• Types of Rape:

  • Stranger Rape: Occurs outside of a known relationship.

  • Marital Rape: Recognizes that consent is vital even within marriage.

  • Date Rape: Assailants are acquaintances or romantic interests.

  • Incest: Sexual relations between family members.

  • Human Trafficking: Illegal trading of humans for sexual exploitation.

  • Female Genital Mutilation: Cultural practices causing harm to female genitalia.

• Statistics: 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the US have experienced rape.

Psychological Effects of Sexual Assault

• Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD:

  • Symptoms can include anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

  • Long-term effects may manifest as personality disorders, low self-esteem, and sexual dysfunction.

• Incest Impact: Can cause negative self-image and lead to emotional and psychological issues for the survivors.

Sexual Assault Services

• Role of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE):

  • SANE nurses are specially trained to assess and collect evidence from survivors.

  • Importance of obtaining consent before treatment and evidence collection.

• Assessment of Victim’s Condition: Focus on physical and psychological health, including evidence gathering.

Nursing Assessment in Cases of Sexual Assault

• Application of the Nursing Process:

  • Assess anxiety and coping mechanisms.

  • Recognize signs of trauma and suicidal ideation.

• Self-Assessment for Nurses: Critical for managing emotional responses to survivors' experiences.

• Good Practice Guidelines:

  • Conduct head-to-toe assessments and document findings thoroughly.

Violence in Families

• Types of Abuse:

  • Physical Abuse: Inflicting bodily harm.

  • Emotional Abuse: Undermining a person's sense of self-worth.

  • Neglect: Failure to provide necessary care.

  • Economic Abuse: Controlling a person’s access to financial resources.

• Statistics: Approximately half of all Americans have experienced violence in their families.

Vulnerable Persons and Risk Factors

• Characteristics of Abusers:

  • Poor social skills, low self-esteem, and control issues.

• Cycle of Violence: Tension-building to acute battering to honeymoon phases complicates the leaving process for victims.

Reporting Abuse

• Nursing Responsibility: Nurses and other professionals are mandatory reporters of abuse.

• Documenting Abuse: Documentation should be thorough and factual focusing on injuries and statements made during assessments.

Prevention and Community Initiatives

• Community Education: Implementing classes for new parents covering signs of abuse and resources.

• Understanding State Protocols: Nurses need to be aware of reporting procedures and community support options.

Forensic Nursing

• Role and Training: Forensic nurses work with victims and perpetrators of violent crimes; involve both nursing skills and knowledge of legal processes.

• Subspecialties: Various roles within forensic nursing including acting as expert witnesses and engaging in community crisis response.

• DNP vs. PhD: Distinction between clinical practice (DNP) and research-focused degrees (PhD).

Mental Health and Criminal Justice

• Challenges in Correctional Nursing:

  • Common issues include mental illness prevalence, substance abuse, and suicide risk among inmates.

• Need for Better Screening: Emphasizing mental health assessment and treatment in the prison system.

Strategies for Anger Management and De-escalation

• Understanding Anger and Violence:

  • Differentiating between anger as an emotion and aggression as behavior.

  • Common settings for violence are psychiatric and emergency units.

• Intervention Strategies:

  • Encourage expression of feelings rather than suppression.

  • Utilize physical activities for angry individuals, like punching bags.

  • Maintain a safe distance during interventions to prevent escalation.

Legal and Ethical Considerations in Nursing

• Documentation Importance: Documenting behaviors, injuries, and everything shared during assessments clearly.

• Establishing Trust: Key in psychiatric or community nursing, ensuring ethical communication.

Conclusion

• Urgency in Addressing Violence: Recognition of violence as a prevalent issue necessitating continued education, prevention tactics, and supportive systems for victims.