The Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) of Bucks County honored a special group of health professionals during Forensic Nurses Week, according to a staff report in the Lower Bucks Times.

Forensic nurses are specially trained to treat the trauma associated with various forms of violence that include sexual assault and domestic abuse.

They play an important role in antiviolence advocacy and care, as well as further victims’ search for justice and safety.

Forensic nurses are registered and/or advanced practice nurses who receive specialized education and training for this kind of work. They are not only skilled in healing victims physically but also protecting them legally. They routinely provide consultation and testimony for criminal cases related to victimization.

Sexual assault nurse examiners have specialized expertise when it comes to identifying physical and psychological trauma associated with sexual assault. They provide services such as emergency medical care, discharge planning, collecting evidence, recording forensic narratives, and providing referrals so that patients receive continuous care.

“The [nurses] who work with NOVA provide a specialized service that takes dedication and fortitude,” said Tarah Sellers, director of client services at NOVA. “We celebrate you, your service, and your labor of love. Thank you for the difficult and often heartbreaking work that you do each and every day.”

More on this special celebration is at the Lower Bucks Times.