Mercy Medical Center's Forensic Nurse Examiner Program (FNE), formerly the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (S.A.F.E.) Program, was established in 1994. Mercy is a designated sexual assault center in the city of Baltimore, and the program has treated more than 8,000 victims of sexual assault since it was implemented. Mercy has 30 specially trained Forensic Nurse Examiners available 24/7 to care for victims of sexual assault (aged 13 and older), victims of domestic violence, elder/institutional and vulnerable populations’ abuse, neglect and maltreatment.

Beginning in 2009, Mercy’s FNE Program began the “Jane Doe” or “Blind Reporting” Project. This project ensures that federal requirements are met and allows victims of sexual assault, male and female, to have the same excellent forensic medical care and evidence collection without reporting to law enforcement. All evidence and reports are maintained in a forensic locker on site for one year from the time of the examination. This allows the victim/patient precious time to regain decision-making capability and still have valuable evidence preserved when and if the victim decides to report to law enforcement.

Traditionally, victims of sexual assault are seen in Emergency Departments by multiple health care providers resulting in an extended length of stay. In Mercy's FNE Program, victims are seen by a single, specially trained Forensic Nurse Examiner and experience a much shorter length of stay. Under FNE the average stay is two to three hours, whereas length of stay was previously a minimum of six-eight hours.

The FNE program works collaboratively with criminal justice agencies and other Baltimore agencies addressing the needs of victims of sexual violence. Victims of sexual assault are referred to the FNE Program by criminal justice agencies, Baltimore's Sexual Assault Center, Emergency Medical Services personnel, private physicians, and health care organizations. Victims may also enter the Emergency Department independently seeking treatment.  FNE provides expert witness testimony for the court system and
provides appropriate referrals for victims of sexual assault.

Mercy's FNE Program also provides evidentiary exams at other hospitals in the Baltimore area for victims who are medically unstable for transport to Mercy. These exams are conducted upon request.  Given the physical and emotional trauma of sexual assault, domestic crimes and other forms of interpersonal violence, victims benefit greatly from the comprehensive services provided by Mercy’s FNE Program. Emergency Department and FNE program services are provided to sexual assault victims free of charge when a forensic medical evidentiary exam is performed. Individuals not wishing to have evidence collected are seen solely by the Emergency Department staff and are billed in accordance with normal hospital procedure.

Mercy's FNE Program is highly respected by city and state leaders including victims, their families, the Baltimore City Police Department's Crime Lab and Sex Offense Units, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office, Mayor’s Office on Criminal Justice, Baltimore Child Abuse Center and the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Centers.

For further information, contact:

Debra S. Holbrook, RN, SANE-A, FNE A/P
FNE Program
(410) 332-9494

Mercy Partners with Verizon to Promote Girls' Safety

Mercy's Forensic Nurse Examiner Program has received a grant from the Verizon Foundation to support its work of preventing violence and promoting safety among middle and high school girls in Baltimore City. The grant funds the Violence Prevention and Safety Education for Girls Program, aimed at preventing domestic violence and violence associated with teenage relationships.