Understanding and Addressing Sexual Violence in Nursing Practice

Sexual violence is a deeply traumatic and prevalent issue that affects individuals across all demographics. This 3-hour CE course for Registered Nurses (RNs) provides critical education on recognizing, assessing, and responding to survivors of sexual violence with sensitivity and professionalism. Nurses will develop skills to define sexual violence, understand its types and prevalence, and recognize the multifaceted impacts on physical, emotional, and psychological health.

This course equips RNs with trauma-informed assessment techniques that ensure patient safety and dignity while supporting survivors’ autonomy. It also focuses on delivering survivor-centered care and navigating the legal and ethical aspects of nursing practice, including informed consent, documentation, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting requirements. Participants will explore how to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary care teams and connect patients with vital local and national resources to support healing and recovery. This course fulfills the sexual violence CE requirement for nursing license renewal in Massachusetts and empowers nurses to provide care that is both compassionate and legally compliant.

Educational Objectives

• Define sexual violence and identify its types and prevalence in diverse populations.
• Recognize the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of sexual violence on survivors.
• Conduct trauma-informed assessments that prioritize survivor safety and autonomy.
• Provide sensitive, supportive care that respects the survivor’s rights, dignity, and well-being.
• Navigate legal and ethical responsibilities, including mandatory reporting, informed consent, confidentiality, and evidence documentation.
• Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive, survivor-centered care.
• Connect survivors with local and national resources to support their recovery.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is intended for:

• Registered Nurses in Massachusetts need to fulfill state-required CE in sexual violence.
• RNs in emergency departments, women's health, behavioral health, or school nursing settings.
• Nurses working with vulnerable populations, including minors, trauma survivors, or individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Nurse leaders, educators, and case managers are responsible for creating policies and trauma-informed care practices.

Did You Know?

• More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact. [CDC]
• Only 25% of rape victims report the incident to law enforcement. [RAINN]
• Nurses are often the first clinical professionals to encounter survivors in healthcare settings. [ANA]
• Trauma-informed care increases patient trust and engagement, improving outcomes for survivors. [SAMHSA]
• Massachusetts requires nurses to complete CE on sexual violence as part of ongoing licensure compliance. [Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing]