Perceived level of competence in forensic examination of trans clients who have been sexually assaulted and need for (additional) training among nurses providing direct clinical care to clients at Ontario’s hospital-based violence treatment centres
| Statement | Perceived level of competence* | Would benefit from (additional) training | |||
| N† | Mean | SD | N‡ | n (%) | |
| I know to anticipate that a trans client typically may have been subject to others’ curiosity, prejudice and violence and therefore may be reluctant to report the crime or consent to examination for fear of being exposed to inappropriate questions or abuse | 79 | 4.11 | 0.73 | 71 | 59 (83.1) |
| I am able to carefully explain what is going to be done and why before each step of the examination and respect a trans client’s right to decline any part of the examination, particularly if a trans client is reluctant to proceed with an examination due to having been subject to others’ curiosity, prejudice and violence | 79 | 4.00 | 0.88 | 72 | 57 (79.2) |
| I am able to confidently reflect a trans client’s language when possible and use alternative means of communication (such as anatomically correct dolls or paper and pen for the client to write or draw), if necessary | 79 | 3.09 | 0.92 | 72 | 63 (87.5) |
| I am aware of what specific equipment (eg, paediatric speculum) and tools (eg, gender-neutral body map) might be needed to assist in the examination of a trans client | 78 | 2.73 | 1.07 | 71 | 66 (93.0) |
| When following procedures and collecting clothing evidence, I am aware that a trans client may be unwilling to part with prostheses and similar items for reasons of safety and/or cost | 78 | 3.73 | 0.89 | 71 | 61 (85.9) |
| I am aware that a trans client may need to change out of the clothing they were wearing while they were assaulted and/or remove makeup prior to seeking assistance | 79 | 3.46 | 0.89 | 71 | 60 (84.5) |
| I am aware that when preparing official documents, I may need to use conventional language, but I am able to explain to a trans client why I am using language in this circumstance that does not reflect their own | 79 | 3.32 | 0.96 | 70 | 65 (92.9) |
| I am aware that a trans client may be at a heightened risk for HIV acquisition due to unique social, behavioural, structural and biological issues | 78 | 3.73 | 0.82 | 71 | 67 (94.4) |
*5=strongly agree, 4=agree, 3=neither agree nor disagree, 2=disagree, 1=strongly disagree.
†n=total number of respondents indicating their level of agreement with each statement.
‡n=total number of respondents indicating whether they would benefit from additional training (yes/no).