Forensic Nursing Program Helps Meet Growing Needs in Helena Community

HELENA — Helena’s Friendship Center says it helped at least 115 victims of sexual violence in the tri-county area in 2023, nearly half of whom received a forensic examination at a hospital or clinic.

St. Peter’s Health’s Forensic Nursing Program has specially trained nurses who work closely with the Friendship Center to perform these examinations.

The work is difficult, but important, says Whitney Brothers, forensic nurse coordinator.

“We know there are victims and we want to get in touch with them,” Brothers said.

Forensic nurses provide specialized care to people who have been victims of sexual abuse or assault. Their work includes collecting evidence that could be used to prosecute the attackers.

The brothers told MTN that this is just part of their work to help patients heal. One of the main goals of this care is to give back control and voice to people who feel that this has been taken away from them.

“An analogy I often use with victims,” Brothers says, “is that this review is a lot like a road map, and there are many different stops we can make along the way. But ultimately, you decide what stops we make.”

The St. Peter program is relatively new. The hospital launched it in January 2022 to address what it saw as a growing need in the community.

Angie Quintero, a nurse, has been providing forensic nursing care since before the hospital had a formal program. She received training through a special course in Great Falls.

Quintero has seen firsthand the need for this care and how the program is reaching more and more people. St. Peter’s Health says that in the two years since the program launched, the number of patients seeking its services has increased by more than 60 per cent.

“It’s a traumatic event and one of the most difficult days in people’s lives,” Quintero said.

Both Quintero and Brothers are aware of the challenges faced by victims of crime. However, they want the community to know that there are trained professionals who are willing to step in, if only to listen.

“Remember that sometimes just being able to go and make sure your body is okay, being able to talk to someone who is there to listen and care about you, can make a big difference,” Quintero says.

The forensic nursing program’s work extends beyond the tri-county area. According to St. Peter’s, the program has helped patients in Toole, Gallatin and Powell counties.

Brothers also says she recently worked with the Montana Department of Justice to train about 40 registered nurses across the state to perform this care, but acknowledges that will only meet a fraction of the demand.

“It’s just a drop in the ocean,” Brothers said. “We talk about a nursing shortage, but there’s an even bigger shortage of forensic nurses.”

The forensic nurse program is part of a network of care for survivors of sexual violence in the Helena area. St. Peter’s Health is a member of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and works with groups like the Friendship Center, local clinics, law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure patients receive care and support after leaving the hospital.

St. Peter’s Hospital is also working to expand the program. In April, the hospital received a grant of more than $730,000 to support forensic nursing.