Memorial Hermann, Children's Safe Harbor join forces for sexual assault victims

CONROE, Texas –– It is a startling statistic.

Each year, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Walker counties combined receive more than 3,000 reports of sexual or physical abuse of children. Fortunately, these children and their non-offending family members have a place to turn for help – Children’s Safe Harbor, a children’s advocacy center.

CSH is a Conroe-based, free community resource that aims to help child victims and families by facilitating a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary team approach to intervention, investigation, prosecution and medical treatment of child sexual and/or physical abuse. Through a newly-formed partnership, Memorial Hermann now provides medical forensic examinations for sexual assault victims and suspected victims who enter CSH’s doors.

“This partnership is a dream come true,” said Victoria Constance, MSPH, Ph.D., Executive Director of Children’s Safe Harbor. “Our children have been so blessed to be seen by such a compassionate and skilled medical team. The nursing staff not only supports our children Monday through Friday onsite at our clinic, but they also attend our bi-monthly case review and coordination meetings. They are truly dedicated and so engaged through every step of the process.” Children’s Safe Harbor sexual assault protocol outlines that any child under the age of 17 complaining of sexual contact of the mouth, genital area or anus be referred for a medical forensic exam. Additionally, all cases of suspected penetration, either by penis, finger, or object, will be referred for an exam. A medical forensic exam is conducted by a forensic nurse, a highly-skilled Registered Nurse who has been in practice more than two years and has completed more than 200 hours of additional education in caring for adult and pediatric sexual assault patients.

“A comprehensive medical examination following the sexual assault of a child serves many purposes,” said Sally Awad, M.D., medical director of Memorial Hermann’s forensic nurse response team. “Most importantly, it attends to the child’s physical, mental, and emotional healthcare needs. Secondly, it provides documentation of injuries that may be present, evaluates exposure to sexually transmitted infections, and forensic evidence is collected when applicable.”

“Children’s Safe Harbor does a really great job of taking life shattering situations and making it more bearable for the child and family. We’re honored to join them in their efforts to help and protect these vulnerable victims,” added Dr. Awad.

A member of the Memorial Hermann forensic nurse response team conducts all exams at CSH from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Patients who present during off hours are referred to the Emergency Center at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, which just opened a dedicated, private treatment room serving victims of sexual assault.

For more information on Children’s Safe Harbor residents can visit www.childrenssafeharbor.org or call 936-756-4644, extension 235. For more information on Memorial Hermann’s forensic nurse response team residents can call 713-704-1261.