Community Health Network celebrates 25 years of Center of Hope empowering survivors

INDIANAPOLIS—For 25 years, the Center of Hope at Community Health Network has been dedicated to caring for victims of violence, abuse and neglect, especially sexual assault and interpersonal violence. Since 1998, thousands of lives have been positively impacted by the Center of Hope.

Indiana State Senator Jean Breaux presented a plaque of special recognition to the Center of Hope for offering the care, treatment, and support to help victims begin the healing process.

She was among the caregivers, law enforcement, and community members who gathered at Community Hospital East to commemorate the work of the Center of Hope. The celebration included a tour of the space at the hospital dedicated to caring for victims of sexual assault.

Patients can be seen by a forensic nurse examiner at Community Hospitals East, North, and South. “All of the nurses have specialized training to understand domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and the trauma involved,” says Jennifer Conley, RN, Center of Hope Nursing Manager.

The Center of Hope serves patients impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, physical assaults, and human trafficking. The following services may be provided depending on the patient’s unique situation:

• Medical care
• Forensic nursing exam
• Prophylactic medications for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy (as appropriate)
• Injury identification and documentation
• Assistance with emergency shelter placement
• Forensic specimen collection (as appropriate)
• Crisis intervention services
• Safety planning
• Referrals for community-based resources such as counseling and support groups

The Center of Hope team works closely with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, law enforcement, victim’s assistance, mental health, and social service agencies to help victims access the services they need.

“We want to give hope to patients. They may walk in not knowing what to do, where to turn, what is next. Many of them are depressed and sad and question whether life is worth living after something like this happens and we give them that hope that it is,” says Conley.

Services at the Center of Hope are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays by calling 317-355-4673 or through the emergency departments and inpatient units at Community Hospitals East, North, and South.

About Community Health Network
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Community Health Network has been deeply committed to the communities it serves since opening its first hospital, Community Hospital East, in 1956. Community Health Network puts patients first while offering a full continuum of healthcare services, world-class innovations and a new focus on population health management. Exceptional care, simply delivered, is what sets Community Health Network apart and what makes it a leading not-for-profit healthcare destination in central Indiana. For more information about Community Health Network, please visit eCommunity.com.