AUDIO: Safe Passage, St. Elizabeth Team To Bring Forensic Nurse Program To Dearborn Co.

Don't forget to wear purple on Thursday in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

(Batesville, Ind.) – Thursday, October 21 in National Wear Purple Day in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Safe Passage, Inc. is helping spread the word with the social media campaign #WeAreResilient. 

Community members are encouraged to wear purple on Thursday and send photos using the hashtag when out supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). 

Cari Kettman, Director of Community-Based Services, joined Eagle Country 99.3 on Wednesday morning to talk spread the word about DVAM. She was joined by Greendale Police Chief Shane Slack and Jill Brummett, Nurse Manager Forensics at St. Elizabeth Edgewood. 

HEAR ROBB REEL'S INTERVIEW WITH CARI KETTMAN, JILL BRUMMETT AND CHIEF SLACK IN THE AUDIO PLAYER BELOW

Brummett helped announce the new Forensic Nurse Program at St. Elizabeth Dearborn. 

The program which has been offered in northern Kentucky, provides response to the emergency room to complete an assessment and evaluation of individuals suffering from domestic violence. 

The program has a focus on documentation, including history of the assault, photo documentation, documentation of injury, in addition to providing referrals and assessments. 

"Documentation is key in bridging the gap between the medical and legal side," said Brummett. 

Greendale Police Chief Shane Slack added that documentation helps with prosecution. Slack continued by saying domestic violence doesn't just stop when someone is taken to jail. 

"There is always someone left, the victim is always there," said Slack. 

That’s where Safe Passage comes in. 

“They are a blessing to us because a lot of times we just take somebody to jail and then we don’t know what to do with the victim, we’re not skilled for that," said Slack. "If we are able to get them to them for their resources and get them the help they need to get away from the situation they are in or other circumstances that may be involved.”

Safe Passage, Inc. was created in 1997 when three women sat around a kitchen table, searching desperately for a source of help for a friend living under the threat of domestic violence.

Since its inception, more than 14,000 victims of abuse have been helped by Safe Passage.

The Safe Passage team is available 24/7/365 to listen, offer support and provide services to anyone experiencing or has experienced domestic and/or sexual violence.

There are two helplines available:

• 877-733-1990 for domestic violence
• 812-932-7233 for sexual assault

For more information and resources, visit www.safepassageinc.org.

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