Our Patient-Centered Vision
collaborative
forensic care
everywhere
Our vision is that every patient has access to expert, trauma-informed healthcare. The Forensic Nursing Teleconnect Center brings together local healthcare providers and forensic nursing experts, so no patient faces their healing journey alone—no matter their location or circumstance.
Expert Support for Providers, Exceptional Care for Survivors
Wherever They Are
The Forensic Nursing Teleconnect Center, a part of the Forensic Nursing Access Initiative, connects healthcare providers in hospitals and clinics with highly experienced, specially trained forensic nurses.
Through real-time, provider-to-provider telehealth consultation, we empower local clinicians to deliver expert, trauma-informed care to survivors of violence—no matter where they seek help.
WHO IT SERVES
Patients who experience violence, especially in rural and underserved communities
WHAT IT IMPACTS
Improves patient experience, increases provider confidence, and supports healing for survivors of violence
WHAT IT DOES
It bridges the expertise gap so that every patient worldwide may have access to compassionate, high-quality care and support
HOW IT'S UNIQUE
A collaborative, hub-and-spoke model ensuring survivors receive skilled, patient-centered care anywhere
WHY IT MATTERS
Patients have better health and justice outcomes, resulting in safer communities
Women Experience Physical or Sexual Abuse Globally
U.S. Hospitals Lack Forensic Nursing Programs
Children Under 5 Suffered Abuse at Home in 2024
Impact of Violence on Global Economy in 2019
Understanding and Breaking Down the Barriers to Care
Why Expert Forensic Support Can’t Wait
Forensic nurses are not widely available in healthcare settings around the world. The International Association of Forensic Nurses, the membership association that established the Foundation, has members from 34 countries. The remaining 161 countries in the world, however, are not represented.
Millions of people who seek healthcare following violence receive care that replicates outdated and harmful practices. When survivors without access to a forensic nurse receive healthcare, they often describe it as revictimizing. Many more still go without access to any form of healthcare.
Medical forensic examinations conducted by trained forensic nurses are a critical part of any multidisciplinary response and the gold standard for individuals seeking care after experiencing violence. Yet many areas still do not have access to this care.
Forensic nurses are not widely available in healthcare settings around the world. The International Association of Forensic Nurses, the membership association that established the Foundation, has members from 34 countries. The remaining 161 countries in the world, however, are not represented.
Millions of people who seek healthcare following violence receive care that replicates outdated and harmful practices.
When survivors without access to a forensic nurse receive healthcare, they often describe it as revictimizing. Many more still go without access to any form of healthcare.
Medical forensic examinations conducted by trained forensic nurses are a critical part of any multidisciplinary response and the gold standard for individuals seeking care after experiencing violence. Yet many areas still do not have access to this care.
“Launching the Forensic Nursing Teleconnect Center
is a bold, innovative step toward changing the future for individuals
who experience violence by giving them access to gold-standard nursing care.”
- Karin Wickwire, IAFN Foundation President
The spoke clinician may have little or no experience with providing care to a patient who has experienced violence, or they may be a professionally trained forensic nurse. The hub clinician guides the patient's care and offers support to both the spoke clinician and the patient.
“Launching the Forensic Nursing Teleconnect Center is a bold, innovative step toward changing the future for individuals who experience violence by giving them access to gold-standard nursing care.”
- Karin Wickwire, IAFN Foundation President
Expanding Access To Care Through Telehealth
Support Healing. Empower Providers. Transform Lives.
Your Gift Connects Survivors to the Expert Care They Deserve
Your gift can support survivors of violence and communities broadening access to:
- Expanded expert support for vulnerable survivors
- Guaranteed access to compassionate forensic care
- Increased safety for communities
Partner With Us
Support Healing. Empower Providers. Transform Lives.
Your Gift Connects Survivors to the Expert Care They Deserve
Your gift can support survivors of violence and communities broadening access to:
- Expanded expert support for vulnerable survivors
- Guaranteed access to compassionate forensic care
- Increased safety for communities
Partner With Us
FAQ & Resources
Millions of violence survivors around the world encounter healthcare systems that perpetuate outdated, harmful practices, only deepening suffering rather than facilitating healing. At the same time, there is a critical shortage of forensic nurses worldwide. In the US, which has the greatest number of forensic nurses, 75 percent of hospitals do not have a forensic nurse on staff.
Forensic nurses are trained as expert clinicians prepared to deliver trauma-informed, compassionate healthcare to people who experience violence. They are also trained to collect evidence.
Violence is pervasive globally. More than 730 million women, for example, have experienced physical or sexual abuse, and 400 million children under age five suffered abuse at home in 2024. Despite these staggering global violence rates, a critical shortage of forensic nurses exists worldwide, with 161 countries completely lacking these essential healthcare professionals.
Forensic nursing first and foremost is healthcare. This care and treatment must be delivered by a healthcare professional. This evidence-based, expertly developed hub and spoke model will connect experienced forensic nurses with local providers who do not have specialized training, so that the forensic nurse can guide them through an examination of a patient who has experienced violence.
The first three years of the program, through early 2028, are funded by a generous gift from the Cynthia Parker Matthews Family Foundation. We are actively seeking major gifts to expand the work and deepen our impact. Know someone who may be interested in getting involved? Please contact us here today!
Through 2028, we will develop and work with three sites in the US to establish the hub-and-spoke system. As we hone the model over the first three years of the project, we will develop plans to scale it globally to reach as many people as possible.
Are you a funder or have contacts with funders? A provider seeking to become a spoke site? An official or a member of the health/medical system outside of the US? Please contact us here today!