Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, GBMC Media Relations Manager

(O): 443-849-2126/Cell: 410-258-3465eMarch 2:]

“SAFE” Dating in A Cyber World - GBMC Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Nurse Develops Curriculum For Middle and High School Students

BALTIMORE, Md. –  April 11, 2008 –   Baltimore County’s “MySpace” murder case from December 2005  –   a former college student raped and beat to death a woman he met online – and others like it are tragic reminders about the need for safe dating and healthy relationships, says Linda Kelly, R.N., clinical program manager of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.  GBMC’s SAFE program treats all sexual assault victims over age 13 in Baltimore County.

“Relationships develop quickly in cyberspace and often potential suitors are able to mask their true personality traits,” Kelly said, two points she stresses in a curriculum on SAFE Dating and Healthy Relationships she has been giving to public and private school students around Baltimore County. “And potential victims may believe they “know” this individual from email conversations and take risks when meeting,” she added.  “I would rather go around and educate the students about how to date safely than have to treat them as a patient.”

Kelly’s education program, which has received support from private donations and public funds, has been blessed by the school system and given to more than 550 students so far in 2008 in Baltimore County public schools and at St. Paul’s School for Girls.

Upcoming schedule of SAFE Dating and Healthy Relationships programs:                                          

(media attendance is welcomed – please arrange through Michael Schwartzberg in advance).

Hereford Middle School (Hereford), April 17

7:45 a.m.-8:35 a.m. & 8:35 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. (8^th graders)

Eastern Technical High School (Essex), May 1

9:30 a.m.-10:20 a.m., 10:25 a.m.-11:10 a.m., & 12:30 p.m.-1:20 p.m. (85 students)

Franklin High School (Owings Mills), May 7

8 a.m.-8:45 a.m. (35 students)

Dulaney High School (Timonium), May 9

8:50 a.m. – 9:35 a.m. (45 students)

Law enforcement officials are supportive of the community outreach and education as well.

"In the vast majority of reported sexual assault cases, a precinct patrol officer is the first law enforcement representative to have contact with the victim,” explained Captain Martin Lurz, commander of Baltimore County Police Department Precinct 7 in Cockeysville.  “The victim has been traumatized and the rapport and interaction between the victim and the police officer is critical at this stage of the investigation. In addition to the forensic evidence that SAFE nurses are trained to detect and capture, these nurses also provide a sense of advocacy and support to the victim.  They are an integral part of the teamwork that is established that will hopefully bring the case to a successful conclusion.”

"The SAFE educational program in schools and the community is an excellent opportunity for students and community residents to learn the extremely critical role of a forensic nurse examiner as an integral part of the teamwork that is needed to prosecute sex offenders in our society,” Captain Lurz added. “It also presents examples of informed decision-making that can prevent a person from becoming a victim of a sexually-motivated crime. Awareness and understanding what is right and wrong in relationships is the key to prevention.” 

Kelly said clinical experiences with the SAFE program identified the need for education of young people who begin to engage in social behaviors which are new to them. Sixty-seven percent of patients seen in GBMC’s SAFE program are between 13 and 24-years-old, the alleged incidents often involve an acquaintance or someone known to the victim, and typically involve the use of alcohol and/or drugs. 

“We believe that it is incumbent on us as healthcare first responders to take this information to the community setting to share our experiences in a direct effort to try to influence behaviors, educate youngsters about risk avoidance and how to recognize and avoid unhealthy relationships,” Kelly said.

Victims of sexual assault, ages 13 and up, are referred to the SAFE program by law enforcement agencies or emergency medical services personnel.  Victims may also enter the Emergency Department independently seeking treatment for an alleged sexual assault and law enforcement will be contacted for the patient to initiate an investigation if they wish to receive a SAFE examination. 

Editor’s Note:   For media interested in attending one of the SAFE Dating and Healthy Relationships programs and interviewing Linda Kelly, please contact Michael Schwartzberg to make arrangements.   

About GBMC
GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Hospice of Baltimore, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 298-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 60,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org           

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