GREENSBORO, N.C. — A North Carolina sexual assault evidence collection kit is hands down the best piece of evidence prosecutors could ask for in a case, but for years we've investigating about major backlogs in running the DNA testing. The number of untested kits is slowly getting lower. Now there's another challenge: a shortage of certified nurses to perform the evidence collection.
In Greensboro we're fortunate. A sexual assault survivor can go to a Cone Health ER and see a sexual assault nurse examiner 24/7. But in some of the smaller cities across our area and the nation that's not the case. Meaning after going through the trauma of the assault those folks might have to wait in an ER for up to 12 hours until a doctor can see them to complete the exam.
"They are not a heart patient or a trauma patient. They have to wait until a physician can get to them,” said Monika Johnson Hostler, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Johnson Hostler says all that time sitting means, "They are less likely to stay and go through the process absolutely."
No rape kit. No conviction a lot of times according to prosecutors. And it's becoming more and more of a problem. We just can't say how big of a problem yet because there's no database of registered SANE nurses. So there's no way to track how many are practicing across North Carolina. That's why from now through March the coalition will be contacting each hospital across the state to build their own list of sane nurses.
At the same time, Congress is also investigating the issue with a hearing. The big take away from hearing: an incredibly low retention rate for sexual assault nurses. Over two years governor auditors tracked a group of 540. only 42 were still practicing at the end. 8 percent.
"Nurses often turnover and move often,” Johnson Hostler said. “There's also a lot of upward mobility. So while they are maybe an emergency room nurse, they might get a promotion to another floor. They may also leave to go work in a doctor's offices."
Experts say we have to finish finding out how big the shortage is before we can start looking for solid solutions. You can bet 2 Wants To know will stay on top of this problem for you. Make sure to follow Ben Briscoe on Facebook, so you don't miss any updates in our investigation.