ABSTRACT
Until the female community service aides [women employed by the police department] and deputies [women hired by sheriff’s department] started helping our physicians, we had a lot of problems. Our nurses caught the tension and discomfort from the doctors and it made them really uneasy. Now, with this new way [nonmedical law enforcement staff assist physicians with rape exams], the police chief and sheriff are happy and our prosecutor thinks we’re wonderful. A lot of people told us it was illegal to let nonmedical staff help with the exam and discouraged us. But we went ahead with it. For sure, as charge [shift supervisor] nurse, it makes life easier for me. Also, victims are treated better. Now they get a uniform standard of treatment which we couldn’t offer before. Also, everyone’s attitudes are much better. That may be the best part. Even the physicians have really improved.
