The Havens > For healthcare professionals > Courses and events > The Havens Introductory Training Course in Sexual Offence Medicine

The Havens Introductory Training Course in Sexual Offence Medicine

The Introductory Training Course in Sexual Offence Medicine is following the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) recommendations.

Dates

  • Monday 24 to Friday 28 June 2024 – see below for London locations (FME session for non-FME colleagues on Wednesday 3 July 2024, 2.30pm to 4.30pm, via MS Teams)
  • Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October 2024 – see below for London locations (FME session for non-FME colleagues on Wednesday 9 October 2024, 2.30pm to 4.30pm, via MS Teams)

Format

This is a five-day course, held in person (with the exception of the FME session for non-FME colleagues which takes place via MS Teams).

The first three days are open to all individuals working with and supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault. On the afternoon of day three, we provide a ‘trauma-informed’ session for all attendees.

The remaining two days are open to forensic clinicians who undertake forensic medical examinations (FMEs), for example, forensic physicians, forensic nurse examiners or paediatricians.

Additional training, Courtroom Confidence, will take place over one day. It is open to delegates attending the full course.

Course outline

Days one to three:

  • the law relating to sexual assault
  • introduction to the different models of care
  • incidence, prevalence and statistics
  • consent, confidentiality and ethics
  • initial assessments, record-keeping and general principles
  • the role of the independent sexual violence adviser (ISVA)
  • safeguarding adults and children
  • police organisation, the role of the specialist officer, early evidence and early evidence kits (EEKs) 
  • the role of the crisis worker and non-police referrals
  • the role of the approved mental health professional (AMHP) 
  • assessment of mental health
  • substance use and co-morbidity 
  • understanding trauma-informed practice and self-care 
  • case discussions

Days four to five:

  • forensic science and sampling:  
    – general principles  
    – anti-contamination considerations  
  • use of colposcope
  • post assault care
    – immediate
    – referrals
    – follow-up
  • forensic medical examination notes and samples
  • discussion of initial assessments and case scenarios/examples 
  • documentation and interpretation of findings and injuries (general and body) including non-fatal strangulation  
  • ano-genital anatomy and examination documentation of ano-genital findings and injury
  • ongoing training and CPD, peer review meetings and qualifications

Locations

The ITC in SOM course will take place as follows:

  • Monday to Thursday at Etc Venues, Marble Arch, London
  • Friday at Haven Camberwell, Denmark Hill, London

The FME session for non-FME staff will take place via MS Teams.

Fees

  • £595 for first three days only (recommended for non-FME staff)
  • £995 for five day course
  • £1,295 for five day course, plus Courtroom Confidence training (recommended for those carrying out FMEs)

Booking

To attend this course, please download and complete The Havens education course booking form (pdf) and:

  • email to kch-tr.havenseducation@nhs.net; or
  • post it to: Training, Engagement and Awareness Raising Team, The Havens, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS.