Madigan Wants More Nurses For Sexual Assault Victims
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan would like to see number of nurses trained to help sexual assault victims doubled in local hospitals.
As WBBM Newsradio's Dave Marsett reports, sexual assault nurse examiners are trained to conduct forensic examinations and testify in court.
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Madigan and the Illinois Hospital Association want to see the number of such nurses practicing in hospitals grow to 150. They also want to implement a program in each of the state's trauma regions by next fall.
Madigan says there are only two Illinois hospitals that have a trained nurse available around the clock – Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, and Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
While 650 nurses have been trained, only 75 are fully practicing.
Madigan says she hopes the effort decreases the number of assaults that go unreported.
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