BE WELL
KC ASSAULT VICTIMS TURN TO THE FACT PROGRAM FOR HELP WRITTEN BY JACKIE WOODS / PHOTO BY SHERRI SCHWINN
Sexual assault and domestic violence can happen anywhere at any time. In fact, the United States Department of Justice estimates that an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. In the state of Kansas alone in 2020, there were nearly 40,000 calls to crisis hotlines and almost 70,000 victims received help, according to the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.
24/7, 365 days per year to provide care for patients of all ages affected by different types of violence such as sexual assault, physical assault, intimate partner violence, abuse and neglect, and human trafficking.
With so many instances of violence, it’s important to know the resources available in the Kansas City area in case you or someone you know becomes a victim.
When victims of violence come to the emergency room for medical treatment at any of the Kansas City area AdventHealth locations, Finke and her team provide a consultation and offer services like injury assessments, documentation and forensic photography, community resources to ensure safety, and assistance filing a police report if desired by the victim. Finke’s team sees about 75 patients per month through the FACT program and helps with resources such as shelter, re-
Becky Finke, RN, BSN, SANE-A, is the assistant manager of the Emergency Department at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission and leads the Forensic Assessment Consultation and Treatment (FACT) program. The FACT program consists of a group of specially trained nurses who are available
straining orders, safety planning, court advocacy, and information regarding financial assistance to recover costs associated with the crime. Violence happens year-round, but there are times when it is more prevalent and the data regarding these trends is shifting. “We see an increase in both sexual assaults and domestic violence during the summer months, which is normally our busiest time,” says Finke. “But we were very busy this past fall, which is a change from our normal pattern. We definitely see more physical assaults during times when activities such as concerts, sporting events, and festivals are taking place.” continued on page 22
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SIMPLYkc MAGAZINE
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DECEMBER 2021
