Child Sexual Assault and Suicide: Essentials for the Forensic Nurse-Child Sexual Assault and Suicide

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this webinar, Gail Horner, a forensic nurse specialist, discusses the topic of child sexual abuse and suicide. Horner highlights the alarming prevalence of sexual abuse among American children and emphasizes that victims often suffer long-term negative consequences, including suicidal ideation and behaviors. Horner explains the various mechanisms that link sexual abuse and suicide, such as feelings of shame and guilt, disruptions in trust and emotional regulation, and alterations in brain activity. She emphasizes the importance of forensic nurses in the medical forensic care of child and adolescent victims, as they are often the first person with whom the victim shares their experiences. Horner discusses the need for screening for suicidal ideation in healthcare settings, and provides information on validated screening tools such as the Ask Suicide Screening Questions (ASQ) and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). She stresses that a positive screen does not indicate imminent suicide intent, but rather indicates the need for further evaluation. Horner also discusses evidence-based suicide prevention interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. She concludes by encouraging forensic nurses to be knowledgeable about local mental health resources and to provide appropriate interventions and referrals for victims at risk of suicidal ideation.

Keywords

child sexual abuse

suicide

prevalence

negative consequences

forensic nurses

screening

validated screening tools

suicidal ideation