Aimee Falkenberg recently received the Visionary Award from the Canadian Forensic Nurses Association. (submitted/Island Health)

By Alex Rawnsley

UNSTOPPABLE

‘I feel as if I’m making a difference:’ Nanaimo nurse recognized for supporting sexual & domestic assault victims

Aug 13, 2020 | 5:25 AM

NANAIMO — A local nurse has received national recognition for her tireless efforts working with victims of violence and abuse.

Aimee Falkenberg was recently chosen by the Canadian Forensic Nurses Association to receive their Visionary Award, presented in honour of a career spent supporting victims of sexual and domestic violence.

It’s a career Falkenberg described as a “calling”.

“Every time I hear something that has happened to somebody, drives me to do this work more,” Falkenberg told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Even though it’s traumatic and it’s awful to hear and see, I feel as if I’m making a difference.”

Falkenberg was inspired to complete forensic nursing training, which she graduated from in 2008, after she felt she was unable to provide the right support for a victim of spousal abuse early in her career.

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A patient she visited told Falkenberg she’d recently had a baby and was assaulted by her partner.

“That was the first time in my career as a new nurse that I’d experienced a patient in front of me visibly asking for help. I didn’t have the experience at that time to provide the care I thought I should be able to.”

In 2016, Falkenberg began coordinating forensic nursing in the central Island, expanding care to more communities.

The challenges of COVID-19 have been particularly difficult for Falkenberg in her line of work.

She said there’s been an increase in sexual assault, domestic violence and a “substantial increase” of child abuse and child sexual assault.

“It’s not something people want to hear about but it’s the truth. Many people have been locked behind doors, it’s been safer to go to work, school and get out of the home and with lockdowns, people were kept inside.”

Falkenberg attributed her resilience and longevity in forensic nursing to support from her nurses and management, who she said took a chance on a very inexperienced nurse.

“I’ve never looked back, it’s my true calling in my soul. I know this is something I’m going to do for the rest of my life.”

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley