Branch House expands emergency medication access to reduce HIV risk for sexual assault survivors

BLOUNTVILLE — Sullivan County is among areas across the U.S. at the forefront of preventing potentially a deadly sexually transmitted virus spread by sexual assault. Branch House Family Justice Center, in partnership with the Sullivan County Regional Health Department, has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative that provides survivors of sexual assault with direct access to free emergency non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis. Known as nPEP, the time-sensitive medication can significantly reduce the risk of HIV after potential exposure, according to a Monday news release from Branch House with information from the health department. HIV, which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is the virus that causes AIDS, the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome that weakens the immune system. It gradually destroying the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. HIV is spread most often through sexual contact; shared or contaminated needles or syringes; infected blood or blood products; and from infected women to their babies at birth or through breastfeeding. The groundbreaking initiative positions Branch House among the first family justice centers and community-based rape crisis centers in the nation to provide coordinated, no-cost emergency nPEP access as part of a comprehensive, trauma-informed response to sexual assault. The release said the program it bridges forensic care, advocacy and public health to remove critical barriers for sexual assault survivors. WINDOW OF 72 HOURS The nPEP must be started within a critical 72-hour window following potential exposure to be most effective. For many survivors, accessing free medication quickly can be difficult, especially after hours, weekends and holidays, the release said. Through this new partnership, survivors connected to Branch House can receive rapid guidance and coordinated access to free medication, ensuring that lifesaving preventative care is not delayed. Emergency prevention medications can be extremely costly, often placing an additional financial burden on survivors during an already traumatic time. Through this program, those barriers are removed, the release said. Survivors are able to access nPEP at no cost, allowing them to focus on healing and safety without worrying about affordability or navigating complex healthcare systems alone, it said. "Access to timely preventative medication is a critical component of survivor-centered care," Brittany Fleenor, executive director of Branch House, said in the news release. "By working alongside the Sullivan County Regional Health Department on this initiative, we are strengthening our community's ability to respond to sexual violence in a way that prioritizes both immediate safety and long-term health outcomes." COORDINATION KEY Melinda King, Branch House sexual assault response team coordinator, emphasized the the importance of coordinated care for sexual assault victims. "This program shows what's possible when our community works as a team," King said. "By aligning medical care, advocacy, and public health resources, we're creating a streamlined and more supportive path forward for survivors during an incredibly difficult time." Dr. Andrew May, director of the regional health department, said the program "integrates forensic medical care provided by Branch House Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners," known as SANEs, "with the public health expertise of the Sullivan County Regional Health Department team." "By working together, our agencies have created a coordinated pathway that allows survivors to access free, confidential medical support, advocacy services and emergency prevention services in one setting. These services include emergency contraception, STI (sexually transmitted infections) diagnosis, treatment and prevention services and HIV prevention, all delivered using trauma-informed care principles," May said. Fleenor said the milestone reflects a powerful shared vision, advancing Sullivan County Regional Health Department's mission to protect public health while reinforcing Branch House's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and survivor-centered care. As a regional leader in forensic sexual assault response and coordinated community services, Branch House continues to develop new models that prioritize safety, dignity and healing, the release said. For more information about Branch House or to learn more about available services, call Branch House at 423-574-7233, email brittany@branchhousetn.org or go to the website www.branchhousetn.org.