Inspired by the compassion of St. Dymphna, the patron of those seeking peace and refuge, The St. Dymphna Forensic Nursing Program provides expert medical-legal care to victims of violence across the Toledo region.

We provide care to victims of violence, including:

  • Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence
  • Sexual Assault (Adult, Adolescent,  and Pediatric)
  • Child Maltreatment
  • Human Trafficking
  • Elder Abuse or Neglect
  • Strangulation and Physical Assault

What We Do

Forensic nursing is the intersection of medicine and the legal system. Our goal is to stabilize your health while preserving your options for justice.

  • Comprehensive Medical Exams: Head-to-toe assessments to identify and treat injuries.
  • Forensic Evidence Collection: The "Sexual Assault Kit" or "Evidence Collection Kit" performed with meticulous care.
  • Photographic Documentation: Professional documentation of injuries that may be used in legal proceedings.
  • Prophylactic Medication: Access to medications to prevent pregnancy or STIs following an assault.
  • Safety Planning: Helping you determine the safest next steps for your life. 

Care Across the Toledo Region

You do not need to travel far to find specialized care. Our forensic nursing team serves the following Mercy Health facilities. Simply present to the Emergency Department and ask for a Forensic Nurse.

Communities Facility 
Central Toledo Mercy Health — St. Vincent Medical Center
West Toledo
Sylvania		 Mercy Health — St. Anne Hospital
East Toledo
Oregon
Northwood		 Mercy Health — St. Charles Hospital

Perrysburg
Maumee
Waterville

 Mercy Health — Perrysburg Hospital
 Tiffin Mercy Health — Tiffin Hospital
 Defiance Mercy Health — Defiance Hospital
 Willard Mercy Health — Willard Hospital

Transportation and Arrival Trips

  • Parking: All locations offer 24/7 Emergency Department parking. If you are in immediate danger, pull directly to the ER ambulance bay or front circle hospital security is available to assist you.
  • Public Transit: TARTA (Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority) serves our Toledo, Oregon, and Perrysburg locations.
  • No Ride? If you are a victim of violence and have no way to get to us, please call our hotline at 419-251-3268. We can often coordinate with local advocates or law enforcement to help you find a safe way to reach our care.

When you arrive, you can ask for a "Private Room" immediately. You do not have to explain your situation in the waiting room.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will this cost me money? No. In the state of Ohio, the cost of a forensic exam for sexual assault is covered by the state. You will not be billed for the forensic portion of your care. 
  • Do I have to report this to the police? You have choices. You can receive a medical forensic exam without immediately filing a police report (Anonymous/Jane Doe reporting). Our nurses will explain your options so you can make the best decision for your situation.
  • Can I bring a friend? Yes. We encourage you to have a support person with you. If you don't have one, we can often connect you with a victim advocate who can stay by your side throughout the exam.
  • How long does the exam take? We move at your pace. Typically, an exam takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on the complexity and your comfort level. You are in control the entire time. 
  • What should I do (or not do) before coming to the hospital? While your safety is the first priority, if you are seeking evidence collection, try to avoid bathing, showering, brushing your teeth, changing clothes, or using the restroom if possible. If you have already done these things, please come anyway. We can still provide medical care, documentation of injuries, and often still collect significant evidence.
  • Do I have to have a 'kit' done to get help? Absolutely not. You can receive a medical exam, treatment for injuries, and emotional support without consenting to a forensic evidence collection kit. You are the driver of your care; we are here to provide the options you choose.
  • Can I still get an exam if the assault happened a few days ago? Yes. In Ohio, forensic evidence can often be collected up to 96 hours (4 days) after an assault, and in some cases longer. Even if the window for evidence collection has passed, we can still provide medical treatment, documentation of injuries for future legal use, and connection to support services.
  • Will my insurance or my parents find out? For survivors of sexual assault, Ohio has specific protections to ensure that forensic exams are not billed to your personal insurance, which helps maintain your privacy. Our advocates can explain the "Victims of Crime" compensation application to ensure your privacy is protected from EOB (Explanation of Benefits) statements.
  • What if I don't speak English or I am hearing impaired? We provide free medical interpretation services at all of our locations via certified in-person, video, or telephonic interpreters to ensure you fully understand your care and your rights.
  • What happens to the evidence after the exam? If you choose to report to the police, the evidence is handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
  • Can you help me if I was strangled or choked? Yes. Strangulation is a very serious medical event that can have "hidden" internal injuries. Our forensic nurses are specially trained to assess the neck and throat for internal damage that might not be visible to the naked eye, ensuring you get the necessary imaging (like a CT scan) if needed.
  • Is your program only for women? No. The St. Dymphna Forensic Nursing Program provides compassionate care to all victims of violence (men, women, non-binary individuals, children, and the elderly). Violence does not discriminate, and neither do we.
 
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