LISTEN: Seven centers in Gainesville, Vidalia, Marietta and others will receive funding through next year to help pay for exams in cases of non-fatal strangulation. GPB’s Sofi Gratas explains.
When people are assaulted, it’s recommended that they get an exam. Trained staff at sexual assault and domestic violence shelters across the state do these exams at no cost and also connect survivors of abuse to resources.
As forensic nurse Janie Steckenrider puts it, these exams, for children and adults, are more than just a medical checkup.
“Providing the forensic portion of it, that can aid in an investigation and a prosecution,” she said. “And all of this is done in a really trauma-informed way.”…