Survivors of sexual assault and rape will soon be able to receive forensic exams at any Missouri hospital as part of a recently launched telehealth network put in place by the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services.

Specially trained nurses perform sexual assault forensic exams to collect evidence that can be used by law enforcement to identify the perpetrator. The evidence collected is commonly referred to as a "rape kit."

The nurses are also trained to deliver the exams in a way designed to avoid further traumatizing the patient.

But not every hospital has certified nurses available, and in the past, patients needed to travel to receive the exam, said Sarah Ehrhard Reid, head of the DHSS Department of Women’s Health.

The new telehealth network will mean exams are avai

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