As a Forensic Nurse Examiner, I have seen firsthand the immeasurable impact of our work. Our patient-centered care not only improves patient outcomes but significantly reduces the long-term health consequences for those impacted by violence. We strengthen community responses and enhance criminal justice outcomes, while providing trauma informed and patient focused care to patients when they are most vulnerable.  
Despite the positive impact of our work, only about 25% of hospitals nationwide maintain a forensic nursing program. Since our services do not generate income at the time of service delivery, investment in forensic nursing is often not prioritized on a health systems level, (and local/state funds are often inadequate to cover operating costs). Even the hospitals that invest in their forensic nursing  programs often cannot find trained nurses to staff these positions. The necessary trainings and continuing educational support provided by the  International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) and is largely funded through federal grant programs. These grants are used to staff positions that conduct training courses and provide support to forensic nurses which in turn increases access to highly skilled and competent nurse examiners who can deliver care within their communities.

On April 22, 2025, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) abruptly terminated a multi-year grant to the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). This funding was earmarked to provide training and technical assistance to sexual assault and forensic nursing programs, which provide care to patient survivors  of all types of child abuse and neglect, sexual violence, human trafficking, domestic violence and intimate partner violence. It ensured the availability of trauma-informed, evidence-based, patient-centered care, an approach that is crucial for the recovery of victims and their families.

This unexpected termination will significantly impact IAFN's ability to provide vital services, especially in marginalized and underserved communities. With the loss of this grant, the opportunity to train new nurses and broaden the reach of forensic nursing care faces a threatening setback.

The need for this specialized nursing care remains critical. Survivors of violence, especially sexual violence in both adults and children, significantly benefit from care provided by trained forensic nurses. We, therefore, demand immediate restoration of the grant awarded to the IAFN. This isn't just a call for support, it's a call to uphold a lifeline for many victims who rely on the specialized care we deliver. Please sign this petition to reinstate the terminated grant for the IAFN – the lives of countless survivors of violence depend on it.