IV 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 938 
Recognizing the important role America’s forensic nurses play in supporting 
survivors and addressing violence. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 22, 2022 
Ms. KUSTER (for herself, Mr. KATKO, and Ms. JAYAPAL) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the important role America’s forensic nurses 
play in supporting survivors and addressing violence. 
Whereas violence is a persistent health care issue and foren-
sic nurses are the bridge between the medical and legal 
needs of patients; 
Whereas more than 2,000,000 people are treated for violence- 
related injuries each year in the United States; 
Whereas patients who experience violence sustain physical in-
juries, as well as acute and chronic physical and mental 
health conditions, including sexually transmitted infec-
tions, HIV, substance misuse, anxiety, depression, and 
suicidal ideation; 
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Whereas the health consequences of violence cost hospitals 
and health care systems approximately $2,700,000,000 
annually; 
Whereas forensic nurses are essential to America’s health 
care because they provide trauma-informed nursing care 
that focuses on patient populations affected by violence 
and trauma, including victims and perpetrators of violent 
crimes, across the lifespan and in diverse practice set-
tings; 
Whereas the International Association of Forensic Nursing 
(IAFN) was established in 1992 and celebrates its 30th 
anniversary this year; 
Whereas forensic nursing has been formally recognized as a 
specialty practice area since 1995; 
Whereas forensic nurses work independently, yet collabo-
ratively within health care and community systems ensur-
ing the provision of care that extends from the clinical 
setting to the courtroom; 
Whereas forensic nursing encompasses caring for diverse pa-
tient populations, including patients who have experi-
enced sexual assault or abuse, intimate or interpersonal 
violence, elder and child maltreatment, human trafficking 
and accidental as well as nonaccidental trauma, in roles 
that include sexual assault nurse examiner, forensic nurse 
examiner, death investigator, correctional nurse, forensic 
psychiatric nurse, legal nurse consultant, forensic geri-
atric specialist, nurse attorney, and forensic clinical nurse 
specialists; 
Whereas forensic nurses foster an understanding of the 
health consequences, effective interventions, and preven-
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tion of violence and trauma in individuals, families, and 
communities; 
Whereas forensic nurses work in partnership with multidisci-
plinary stakeholders, including Tribal organizations, ad-
vocacy, law enforcement, military branches, and legal 
counsel; and 
Whereas forensic nurses are facing unprecedented challenges 
in maintaining patient access to care throughout the 
COVID–19 pandemic with the changing demand for serv-
ices as rates and severity of violence increase: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) acknowledges that forensic nursing is more 
relevant now than ever before, as this specialty prac-
tice evolves to address the gaps in health care re-
lated to effective violence intervention, reduction of 
long-term health consequences, and prevention; 
(2) honors forensic nurses for their commitment 
to providing evidence-based, compassionate, trauma- 
informed care encompassing the entire scope of 
nursing practice; and 
(3) reaffirms its commitment to working along-
side forensic nurses to further their contributions to 
improve health outcomes for patients experiencing 
violence. 
Æ 
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