Forensic Nursing & Advocacy: Supporting Victims of Violence

A Conversation with Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN,

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

January invites us to confront difficult truths. It is both National Stalking Awareness Month and National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, two national observances dedicated to increasing awareness, strengthening prevention, and improving support for survivors.

This month’s edition of Beyond the Mic takes us into the heart of these issues with former Forensic Nurse Examiner and survivor advocate Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN, widely known as @OffTheClockNurse. Together, we explore the realities of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. Also, the critical role healthcare professionals play in identifying, supporting, and advocating for victims.

Disclaimer:

This edition discusses sensitive topics, including sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and trafficking. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, please pause, skip, or reach out for support. Your emotional well‑being matters.

Why This Conversation Matters

• According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, stalking affects approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 12 men in their lifetimes.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that millions worldwide are impacted by human trafficking each year.
• The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

These numbers are not abstract. They represent patients, families, neighbors, and community members. Many of whom encounter healthcare professionals as their first or only point of contact.

Leah’s Journey: From OR Nurse to Forensic Advocate

Leah’s nursing career began in the operating room and later expanded into travel nursing. Her path shifted dramatically while working on a nurse advice line, where she noticed a troubling pattern: an increasing number of calls related to sexual assault and domestic violence.

This exposure led her to forensic nursing, a specialty she had never encountered in nursing school, despite the prevalence of interpersonal violence.

After completing a self‑paced free forensic training program and clinical rotations, she stepped into the role of Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE). It quickly became more than a job; it became a calling.

Career Pathways for Forensic Nurse Examiner & Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner

Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE). What it is: A Forensic Nurse Examiner applies nursing care to patients impacted by violence/trauma (e.g., sexual assault, IPV, child/elder abuse, trafficking). There’s no single national “FNE license,” so requirements vary by state and employer.

• Earn RN (or APRN) licensure
• Build strong clinical assessment experience (often ~2+ years in areas like ED, critical care, or maternal-child)
• Choose a forensic focus (sexual assault vs. other forensic specialties)
• Meet any state/employer credentialing requirements (some states require separate SANE credentialing)
• Optional: pursue national certification when applicable (e.g., SANE-A®/SANE-P® via IAFN/CFNC; AFN-BC via ANCC is renewal-only)

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). What it is: A SANE is an RN/APRN with specialized education and clinical preparation to provide trauma-informed sexual assault medical forensic care (assessment, documentation, evidence collection, follow-up planning).

• Hold an active RN/APRN license
• Gain clinical foundation (often ~2+ years in ED/critical care/maternal-child)
• Complete SANE education with didactic + clinical components (per IAFN guidance)
• Complete a clinical preceptorship and structured/supervised practice
• Optional: earn SANE-A® or SANE-P® certification once eligible (includes an accredited 40-hour course, preceptorship, and required practice hours)
• Maintain certification through renewal requirements (exam or continuing education, per CFNC)

Today, Leah blends clinical expertise with advocacy, education, and prevention and uses her platform to raise awareness and empower both clinicians and communities. She has since stepped away from direct patient care, and she is currently researching ways to prevent PTSD in Sexual Assault (SA) Survivors. Her mission remains the same.

Understanding the Gravity of Violence, Abuse & Trafficking

Leah emphasizes a truth often misunderstood:

Violence is not about anger or sex; it is about power and control.

Key data points discussed in Leah’s episode:

• The average age of entry into human trafficking is 12–14 years old.
• Most child trafficking cases involve someone the victim knows.
• Domestic violence rates increased during the COVID‑19 pandemic due to isolation, financial strain, and limited access to support.
• Millions in the U.S. experience unwanted stalking behaviors each year

For healthcare professionals, this means our awareness, assessment skills, and trauma‑informed approach can be truly life‑altering for the individuals we serve.

It also requires an honest recognition of our own well‑being and the emotional weight that comes with carrying such responsibility. Leah emphasized this balance by sharing the grounding practices that help her stay centered and resilient in this work.

Staying Grounded in a Heavy Field

Forensic nursing carries emotional weight. Secondary trauma is real, and sustaining this work requires intentional care. Therefore, Leah shared the practices that helped her stay grounded:

• Taking restorative breaks and traveling
• Spending time outdoors with her dog
• Practicing mindfulness and controlled breathing
• Limiting exposure to distressing media after difficult shifts

These strategies are essential for any clinician working with trauma, not as luxuries, but as protective factors against burnout and compassion fatigue. Leah’s decision to step away from her role as an FNE/SANE nurse reflects the wisdom of recognizing when it is time to pivot, protect one’s well‑being, and honor personal limits in order to continue serving with integrity.

In Conclusion

Leah Helmbrecht’s work stands as a powerful reminder that nursing is not only a clinical profession but also a moral one. Her commitment to justice, compassion, and advocacy mirrors the very principles Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. championed. Principles to confront injustice with courage, to uplift the vulnerable, and to use our influence to create meaningful change. Through her forensic practice, education, and public awareness efforts, Leah embodies what it means to serve with both skill and conviction.

Her voice reinforces a truth we cannot ignore: violence, exploitation, and trauma are public health issues. Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to recognize, respond, and advocate. When we choose to stay informed, speak up, and support survivors, we honor both the spirit of Dr. King’s message and the ethical foundation of our profession.

As a community, we can continue this work by:

• Promoting trauma‑informed care across all healthcare settings
• Educating ourselves and others on the signs of abuse, trafficking, and coercion
• Supporting policies and programs that protect survivors
• Creating safe spaces for patients and colleagues to share their experiences
• Using our platforms, professional and personal, to raise awareness

Leah’s impact reminds us that advocacy is not a single act; it is a posture. It is the daily decision to see, to listen, and to act. And when we do, we help build a healthcare system and a world where justice, dignity, and compassion are not aspirations but realities.

Together, we can continue the work, we can refuse silence, we can ensure that every person who crosses our path is met with the care, respect, and protection they deserve.

How can we, as healthcare professionals, strengthen trauma‑informed care in our own settings starting today?

Meet Our Guest: Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN

Forensic Nurse Examiner | Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner | Survivor Advocate | Educator | Creator

Leah brings over 15 years of clinical experience and a deep commitment to survivor advocacy. She is also the creator behind @OffTheClockNurse, where she educates the public on violence prevention, forensic nursing, and trauma‑informed care. She also shares her awesome traveling ventures.

Her work includes:

• Launching educational modules on child exploitation prevention
• Providing trauma‑informed forensic examinations
• Leading hospital‑wide training on violence and abuse
• Implementing national sexual assault protocols
• Fundraising for survivor support services
• Publishing peer‑reviewed research
• Launching educational modules on child exploitation prevention

Her insights offer both practical guidance and a powerful reminder of the impact nurses can have in moments of crisis.

🌐 Website: https://linktr.ee/offtheclocknurse

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheclocknurse/

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheclocknurse

📘 Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/offtheclocknurse/

🎧Listen & Take the Next Step

🟣Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empathy-in-action-supporting-victims-of-violence/id1755700754?i=1000683015302

🟢Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/episode/2h0FWNn05lnLHSdVCy5uPM?si=cyR4G3sgSvaW85no2Rsd4g

🔴YouTube → https://youtu.be/46VBfTrMVM4?si=6xr_p3JdU1ZPi-oO

If you found value in this post, consider subscribing to All One Nurse for additional blog content and updates regarding new podcast episodes, resources, and more.

💌 Share this newsletter with a colleague, student, or friend who needs it.

⭐ Subscribe to the podcast and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review to help more listeners find us.

☕ Say thanks: Buy Shenell a coffee and support the mission: coff.ee/allonenurse

Sponsorships are also welcome, let’s uplift the future of nursing together. Let us continue to illuminate the path for aspiring nurses throughout their journeys.

Please share your thoughts in the comments if this edition or episode inspires you!

Stay connected with All One Nurse.

Instagram: @allonenurse_shenell

Facebook: All One Nurse

TikTok: @all_one_nurse

LinkedIn: Shenell Thompkins

YouTube: All One Nurse

Website: AllOneNurse.com

“Bridging the gap between the stethoscope and the soul.”- Nurse Shenell