Researcher: Sarah Hoffman (School of Nursing)

Abstract: Sexual and intimate partner violence directly or indirectly impacts a significant portion of the United States population. Structural inequities and systemic oppression challenge equitable access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) health services, which are critical for recovery and justice. Individuals with refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) backgrounds experience compounded barriers to forensic healthcare. Our project aims to address these disparities by leveraging clinical data repositories to systematically analyze electronic health records of patients seeking post-assault care in Minnesota hospitals, with a focus on RIM populations. We will adapt informatics tools to extract patient profiles and identify patterns of access and utilization. Concurrently, we will engage an advisory group of RIM-serving organizations and SANE programs to inform culturally responsive service delivery. Findings will support targeted outreach and bidirectional technical assistance, advancing equitable forensic care and improving patient-centered outcomes for survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence in Minnesota’s diverse communities.