VAN WERT, Ohio (WLIO) - The OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital now providing cutting edge technology to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
For the staff at Van Wert Hospital, this state-of-the-art technology not only makes their jobs easier, but also can be empowering for the victims.
A new camera system called Fernico is being deployed at the Van Wert hospital and other OhioHealth branches around the state. This high resolution imaging technology is built specifically for forensic use, to examine and capture images of injuries that may result from sexual assault or domestic violence or even child and elder abuse. The camera provides powerful capabilities to use advanced lighting and filter features to better inspect the victims and help in court cases associated with assault or abuse.
For the staff at Van Wert Hospital, this state-of-the-art technology not only makes their jobs easier, but also can be empowering for the victims.
"I think that that's empowering, because by the time they come in to get this exam, a lot is gone, and the last thing we want to do is take away any more of their dignity by trying to guess where we're swabbing at or asking them repeated questions," said Katie Ashbaugh, clinical educator for OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. "We can pop this light source on, and can just see without asking all of those questions, and the time frame comes way down for the survivor."
The Van Wert County YWCA also partners with the hospital in assisting assault and abuse victims, and both hope that this new technology is a beacon for those victims that help is available and that they're not alone.
"A lot of victims don't want to press charges; a lot of them feel like, 'Oh, this isn't going to show anything', or this isn't going to do any good'," said Jamie Evans, director of survivor services for the Van Wert County YWCA. "I really feel like that will help being able to show them we can really get better pictures, better things, making them feel a little bit more comfortable in the process, not maybe having it as long because if you put that blue light on, it really shows you're not swabbing for hours."
The Fernico camera being deployed now is timely, as the month of April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
