We Promote
Trauma-Informed Healthcare
Worldwide
The IAFN Foundation was founded in 2008 to support and partner with forensic nurses globally to build the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to reduce the health effects of violence and trauma. The Foundation historically provided educational scholarships to nurses. Our focus has since evolved in response to survivors’ needs.
The IAFN Foundation was founded in 2008 to support and partner with forensic nurses globally to build the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to reduce the health effects of violence and trauma. The Foundation historically provided educational scholarships to nurses. Our focus has since evolved in response to survivors’ needs.
Where We Are Now
Forensic nurses are not widely available in healthcare settings around the world.
The International Association of Forensic Nurses, the membership association that created the Foundation, has members from 26 countries. However, the remaining 169 countries in the world 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Millions of people who seek healthcare following violence receive care that replicates outdated and harmful practices.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.
The International Association of Forensic Nurses
has a history of providing support for the development of forensic nursing practice globally, whether connecting individually with international members or providing on-the-ground support in Africa and Asia.
IAFN receives requests from nurses as well as government officials to support them in integrating forensic nursing into their community’s response to violence.
In 2023, IAFN has received requests for support from leaders working in the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia and Central America. Leaders in these regions see the value of a forensic nursing approach related to both survivor health outcomes and community responses to violence. They are eager to access IAFN’s deep expertise and tailored technical support to integrate forensic nursing best practices.
The Foundation seeks to support this work to ensure that patients around the world have access to forensic nurses.
Our Impact
Forensic nurses are at the forefront of addressing health disparities. They mitigate long-term impacts on patients' health after violence.
By providing specialized care, forensic nurses ultimately reduce healthcare costs to communities.
In addition to the positive impacts of their care, forensic nurses contribute to increased community safety through their contribution to the criminal justice system.
In communities where forensic nursing is integrated into responses to violence, there is a positive impact on successful prosecutions of perpetrators of violent crime.
The Foundation is at a pivotal moment.
What’s Next?
In addition to supporting global access to forensic nurses, the Foundation has several new programs in development. Information about these exciting new endeavors will be released in 2024.