Honoring the Life of Betty Ewing

Inova honors the life of Betty Ewing (1936-2022), whose incredible legacy lives on through the Inova Ewing FACT Department. In 2012, Betty and Charles Ewing provided leadership support to establish the Ewing Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team (FACT) for victims of sexual assault and abuse.

Over the past decade, the Ewing family’s generosity enabled us to recruit an exceptional team of forensic nurses and physicians and to expand these life-changing services across Inova.

View the video to learn more about this impactful program. 

Inova Ewing Forensic Assessment and Consultation Teams address the unique needs of abused children and adults. We offer expert medical evaluation, forensic evidence collection, and provide expert interpretation based on training, experience and medical data.

FACT Frequently Asked Questions

Our Services

We offer injury assessment and documentation, as well as referrals to legal resources, shelters and support services.

We care for victims of rape and sexual assault with or without police involvement. Services include DNA collection, injury assessment, documentation, preventive medications, and referrals to legal and support services.

All pediatric sexual assault exams for children age 12 and under are performed at the determination of Child Protective Services and/or Law Enforcement. Authorization for adolescent patients is determined by the circumstances of the incident.

In conjunction with Child Protective Services, we offer injury assessment, and documentation by providers trained to recognize physical abuse.

We offer injury assessment and documentation, including the treatment of any health threats that can result from airway or circulatory impairment.

How to Call Us

The FACT Team

Inova FNEs are registered nurses specially trained to observe, recognize, collect, and appropriately document evidence of abuse.

Two forensic physicians are available for consultations in our department. The physicians provide medical oversight for the department, managing the protocols and procedures, and provide expert review of cases seen by the forensic nurse examiners. They provide inpatient and outpatient consultations as well as medical record reviews for cases involving physical abuse and assault, physical or medical neglect, and sexual abuse and assault.

They are available for consultations through the Inova Xtend paging system or the Inova Fairfax Hospital operator.

Inova Child Life Specialists are experts in the field of child development and are trained to meet the unique psychosocial, developmental, emotional, and cultural needs of the children and families they serve. The Inova Ewing Forensic Assessment and Consultation Teams (FACT) Department has a dedicated Child Life Specialist who helps to promote effective patient and family coping as well as provide support to patients and families throughout their entire FACT Department experience.

Child Life Services Offered:

  • Preparation for the forensic exam/evaluation
  • Support and distraction during the forensic exam/evaluation
  • Medical and therapeutic play
  • Pre-procedural tours
  • Hands-on education regarding the hospital/FACT department environment
  • Normalization activities
  • Sibling support

Find additional information regarding the Child Life Program 

What Does a Forensic Exam Involve?

If you are the victim of violence or assault, you need special attention to ensure you are medically safe and protected. In addition, it is important to gather evidence if you choose to report your crime to the police.

A forensic exam is completely private and includes a thorough assessment of any injuries sustained as the result of a violent act. We collect evidence, take photos of your injuries, answer all your questions and discuss your options. Due to the technical nature of the exam, it can take 2 to 3 hours to complete. Our forensic nurse examiners and physicians are specially trained to provide both medical and emotional support. They will ensure that you have access to all the resources you need, including follow-up medical care, referrals for advocacy and mental health services.

Access to FACT Services

Services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you are not safe call 911 immediately!

If you feel you have been the victim of a sexual assault or domestic violence and wish to report to the police please call 911.

If you are unsure if you want to report, please call the Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-838-8238. Hotline staff is available 24 hours a day.

If you do not want evidence collected but are concerned about exposure to disease, please contact your primary care physician or local health department.