Nashville’s Family Safety Center is adding something many survivors of violence have had to chase all over town: on-site medical care. On Tuesday, May 12, at 10 a.m., the center will cut the ribbon on a new clinic that brings trauma-informed forensic exams and urgent care into the same building where survivors already go for help with safety planning, legal support, and advocacy.
City officials and health partners say the goal is straightforward and urgent: catch hidden injuries faster, document them properly, and connect survivors to the advocacy and case management they need for ongoing medical care or criminal cases, all in one stop.
The Family Safety Center is already one of the country’s largest family justice centers and co-locates advocates, legal services, and law enforcement support, according to the Office of Family Safety. The Murfreesboro Pike location offers walk-in services, personalized safety planning, and referrals to agencies that help with housing, counseling, and court accompaniment.
Clinic Launch and Partners
According to a Fox 17 release, the clinic was developed in partnership with the Metro Public Health Department and Nashville General Hospital. It will provide trauma-informed forensic medical exams for victims of physical violence, including domestic violence and strangulation, and will allow survivors to receive urgent care and forensic documentation during the same visit.
The Office of Family Safety is hosting the ribbon cutting at the Family Safety Center, 610 Murfreesboro Pike, on May 12 at 10 a.m. Local leaders, health professionals, and advocates are scheduled to attend.
The release also lays out why officials say this is needed now. It reports that 51% of survivors say they experienced strangulation by a partner, 36% of domestic violence offenders are identified as stranglers, and 63% of survivors report being strangled to the point of unconsciousness.
Why Forensic Exams Matter
Medical and forensic experts note that strangulation often leads to serious brain or vascular injury without clear external marks, so specialized exams and imaging are considered essential for accurate diagnosis and safety planning, according to the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
SAGE Journals reports that systematic collection of forensic evidence in non-fatal strangulation cases can influence legal decisions and help prosecutors and clinicians better assess risk to survivors.
How to Access Services
The Metro Office of Family Safety provides the Family Safety Center’s hours, phone number, and partner services on its website, and walk-ins are welcome. The center offers wraparound referrals for housing, counseling, and legal assistance, the Office of Family Safety says.
In an emergency, people are urged to call 911. For non-emergency information and advocacy, the Family Safety Center can be reached at 615-880-1100. Media were invited to attend the ribbon cutting, and interviews with leadership and health partners will be available after the program.
Advocates say that putting medical, legal, and advocacy services under one roof can ease the stress of navigating multiple systems and improve both immediate care and long-term safety planning for survivors. Nashville’s new clinic is expected to serve as a local example of how forensic-informed medical care can be woven directly into a family justice model.
