Position Papers

As issues arise, the International Association of Forensic Nurses takes an official position on issues that impact forensic practice, nursing practice, and/or the patients or clients of forensic nurses. Any member of the Board of Directors or Regular member may bring forward to the Board a request for approval of a position paper to be placed on the agenda.

Position statements expire or are retired by the organization when appropriate. To see the complete policy and formatting information, click here.

List of Current Position Papers

• The Use of Non-family Chaperones for the Medical Forensic Examination (MFE) (2024)
• Reporting Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the Healthcare Setting (2024)
• Victim Advocate Collaboration (2024)
• Ethical Expert Witness Testimony (2023)
• Forensic Nursing in the Emergency Care Setting (August 2023)
• Care of Prepubescent Pediatric Sexual Abuse Patients in the Emergency Care Setting (August 2023)
• Human Trafficking Awareness in the Emergency Care Setting (August 2023)
• Corporal Punishment (2023)
• SANEs in Level 1 and 2 Trauma Centers Policy Paper (2023)
• Access to Reproductive Healthcare for Women, Girls and Trans Persons who have Experienced Sexual Violence (2023)
• Child Maltreatment (2023)
• SANE Education and Certification (2022)
• Use of Emergency Contraception Post Sexual Assault (2022)
• Virginity Testing (2022)
• Violence Is a Public Health and Healthcare Issue (2022)
• The Evaluation and Treatment of Non-Fatal Strangulation in the Health Care Setting (2022)
• Intimate Partner Violence (January 2019)
• Gun Violence (August 2018)
• Adult and Adolescent Sexual Assault Patients in the Emergency Care Setting (August 2016)