Domestic Violence Manual, Established by St. Elizabeth Nurse Jill Brummett and Her Team, Now Employed Across the State
In a significant stride towards combating domestic abuse, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Kentucky has been leading the charge with its dedicated forensic team. The team, spearheaded by Forensic Nurse Manager Jill Brummett, has been making waves in the field of forensic nursing, particularly in the investigation of strangulation cases.
A startling fact emerges: only a quarter of hospitals in the United States have a forensic program including a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. However, St. Elizabeth Hospital bucked this trend, establishing a comprehensive program that has been recognised as outstanding at the International Association of Forensic Nursing Conference.
The team's work is unrelenting, operating 24/7, 365 days a year. Their expertise is not limited to the conventional; they can identify and collect touch DNA left by the attacker on the victim's neck. This meticulous work has been crucial in building strong evidence against offenders.
Kentucky unfortunately holds a distressing position nationally, with some of the highest numbers of domestic abuse cases. The impact of this abuse is not confined to adults; children are also affected. Strangulation, a common method in such cases, can cause injuries to the carotid arteries, jugular veins, and trachea. These injuries may require advanced diagnostic tools such as CTAs or cat scans to detect potential blood clots.
In 2019, the Kentucky Legislature passed a law making strangulation a felony, a significant step towards addressing this issue. The new law prompted the creation of a comprehensive prosecution manual, for which Brummett and her team were asked to contribute. The manual, now used by healthcare providers, law enforcement, advocacy groups, and prosecutors across Kentucky, is a testament to their dedication and expertise.
Brummett and her team underwent training at the Strangulation Institute based in California to enhance their skills. Their work is not just about recognition or accolades; Brummett emphasises the importance of getting offenders off the street due to the high likelihood of reoffending. Her primary motivation, she says, is to save every life in Kentucky.
Despite Kentucky being one of the last three states in the nation to take steps to outlaw the practice, progress is being made. Brummett's team's efforts are a shining example of this progress, demonstrating that with dedication and expertise, change can be brought about.
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