Embracing Body Sovereignty During Medical Forensic Examinations-Embracing Body Sovereignty During Medical Forensic Examinations

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar, presented by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) through the National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault, focuses on embracing body sovereignty during medical forensic examinations, especially within American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Body sovereignty refers to the inherent right of individuals to have complete control over their own bodies, including decisions about medical care, free from coercion or external control. The presenters emphasize that sovereignty extends beyond legal or political aspects; for tribal nations and Native women, it encompasses cultural identity, self-governance, land rights, and autonomy over personal and communal life.<br /><br />The medical forensic exam, typically conducted after sexual or intimate partner violence, is reframed as an opportunity to restore a survivor’s body sovereignty. This exam must be approached as a collaborative process where the survivor controls the pace, consents to each step, and feels safe physically, emotionally, and culturally. The presenters stress the importance of informed consent communicated in accessible language, respecting cultural practices (e.g., traditional healing, smudging), and acknowledging historical trauma and distrust toward healthcare systems in tribal communities.<br /><br />Critical recommendations include: asking permission before touching or collecting evidence; accommodating cultural support persons; respecting personal boundaries, clothing, and privacy; and offering treatment options aligned with survivors’ preferences, including traditional medicines. Follow-up care and safety plans should be individualized and sensitive to survivors' realities, such as living with perpetrators. Through these measures, medical forensic exams can help survivors reclaim power and autonomy, contributing to their healing journey. The session concludes by encouraging ongoing dialogue, resource sharing, and culturally competent, survivor-centered care to honor body sovereignty in forensic nursing practice.

Keywords

body sovereignty

medical forensic examination

American Indian communities

Alaska Native communities

sexual assault

forensic nursing

informed consent

cultural competency

historical trauma

traditional healing

survivor-centered care

tribal sovereignty