October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. The Center of Hope at Indiana University Health is dedicated to caring for those who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and other violent crimes.
These patients need—and deserve—special care. Megan Shupe, BSN, RN, CEN, SANE, has worked diligently to implement a program at IU Health Arnett, Frankfort and White Memorial that provides compassionate, patient-centered, trauma-informed care delivered by highly skilled forensic nurses who perform comprehensive forensic evaluations.
The result of Shupe’s passion is the Center of Hope located in the Emergency departments of IU Health Arnett, Frankfort and White Memorial hospitals.
The Center of Hope can be reached at 765.838.5100.For urgent, life-threatening needs, please call 911.
“We want anyone who has experienced domestic violence to know that they are not alone. Even if they do not wish to report the assault to law enforcement, we can help,” shares Shupe. “Survivors deserve care and attention from a special group of professionals who are ready to help in their time of need.”
Sexual assault and domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of economic status. According to the CDC:
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men report having experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.
- 1 in 5 women and 1 in 13 men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
- 1 in 7 children have been the victim of abuse or neglect in the last year alone.