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Forensic Health Care Providers Working Diligently to Lessen the Impact of Violent Crimes across Indian Country – Part 2

by Nicole Stahlmann, MN, RN, SANE-A, AFN-BC, SANE-P, FNE-A/P, Forensic Nurse Consultant, Division of Nursing Services IHS/HQ

As highlighted in Part 1, IHS, Tribal, and urban Indian programs are making meaningful progress in expanding forensic health care services. The following examples continue that story, showcasing how programs are increasing access to care and supporting survivors across diverse communities.

Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Circles of Strength Project

The Circles of Strength project, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, provides culturally responsive and trauma-informed services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Advocates support victims throughout their healing journey by offering community-centered care. The project’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Coordinator and advocates are active members of the Milwaukee County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). They represent the Native community on the Milwaukee Commission for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MCDVSA), helping to ensure that Native voices and perspectives are included in local responses to violence. In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, the Circle of Strength project will host a sexual assault awareness training for community partners and local law enforcement. The training aims to strengthen collaboration, increase awareness, and promote trauma-informed approaches to supporting the Native community in Milwaukee. 

Native Health Phoenix – Phoenix, Arizona

Native Health’s Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Services Project

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the NATIVE HEALTH’s Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Services project will participate in several community outreach and awareness efforts aimed at supporting survivors and strengthening prevention education within urban and Tribal communities. The domestic violence prevention team will collaborate with local Tribal partners, including the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community and the Gila River Indian Community, to provide outreach, share resources, and offer education on survivor resources and culturally responsive care. The project will also work alongside state and Tribal coalitions, such as the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) and the Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition (SWIWC)—to promote awareness and connect providers and community members with vital resources. Planned activities include community outreach events with local service providers, youth engagement opportunities focused on healthy relationships, consent and prevention education, and healing-centered activities for survivors and community members. These efforts will feature culturally grounded gatherings, including planting activities focused on resilience and growth, as well as art expression spaces that encourage reflection, healing, and community connection.

Northern Navajo Medical Center, Shiprock, New Mexico

Nurses at Northern Navajo Medical Center have completed several training courses through the Texas A&M University Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing, including the medical forensic photography bootcamp, strangulation simulation bootcamp, and the adult/adolescent and pediatric SAFE education courses. The nurses have been working diligently to establish a policy to provide services for individuals impacted by domestic violence. They have also set up a forensic photography service for victims of violence in the community.

During 2025, the program has reached more than 1,200 people in the community through numerous health fairs, community events, and school presentations from Family and Child Education (FACE) programs to college-level students sharing information on prevention of sexual and domestic violence, online safety, healthy relationships, stalking, human trafficking, and self-care tips. The team participates in awareness month activities, such as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Awareness Day. Activities included a newsletter, ribbon skirt/shirt campaign, pumpkin painting, campus walk and bike challenge, community drive-thru resource fair, talk ‘n tea, denim day fashion show, clothesline project display, and sponsoring a room at the local women’s shelter.

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the SA/DV program collaborates with the Healing Begins committee for an awareness walk and candlelight vigil. A nearby highway adopt-a-highway sign invites participation in a trash pickup day. Lastly, the SA/DV Program collaborates with the Shiprock SA/DV Response Team and participates in recognizing Navajo Police by providing a meal to honor their commitment to supporting victims and survivors.

Whiteriver Service Unit, Whiteriver, Arizona

Whiteriver Service Unit (WRSU) offers comprehensive care after sexual violence, child abuse, and intimate partner violence. Their robust team is comprised of 15 dedicated and trained nurses who provide acute care and follow-up services in the form of medical forensic sexual assault examinations, intimate partner/strangulation exams, well-child exams, home visit follow-up, and a private survivor clinic with a medical provider. WRSU has also become a site dedicated to training and offering support and guidance to other forensic nurses based on best practices. They collaborated with the District of Columbia’s Forensic Nurse Examiners to offer a three-day training course to enhance provider knowledge and skills in caring for patients following violent crimes. This course included hands-on skills training with live standardized patient models, further enhancing provider knowledge, skills, and techniques, all while gaining real-time feedback in a structured learning environment.

Important dates to remember:

  • April 29: Sexual Assault Awareness Month's Denim Day – Wear Denim with a Purpose!

Helpful resources:

Provider Resources:

Nicole Stahlmann, MN, RN, SANE-A, AFN-BC, SANE-P, FNE-A/P, Forensic Nurse Consultant, Division of Nursing Services IHS/HQ
Nicole Stahlmann, MN, RN, SANE-A, AFN-BC, SANE-P, FNE-A/P, serves as the forensic nursing consultant with the IHS Division of Nursing Services. Prior to her work with IHS, she served as a forensic nursing specialist with the International Association of Forensic Nurses and was the clinical program manager for the District of Columbia Forensic Nurse Examiners. Stahlmann was an emergency department nurse and adjunct instructor, teaching both undergraduate and master prepared students at Georgetown University. She continues to practice clinically, providing care for patients who have experienced violence.
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