Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program is a service aimed to
provide care and assistance for anyone who has been sexually assaulted.
Sexual assault nurse examiners are registered nurses who have completed
specialized forensic training to collect medical evidence and perform
the forensic medical examination in a sensitive, non-threatening manner
to victims of sexual assault. They also provide evidence documentation
for all assaults regardless of whether or not the patient chooses to report
to law enforcement. Patient advocates are provided to the patient through
the Connie Smith Rape Crisis Center and act as a guide to help the sexual
assault survivor navigate through the process. Forensic medical examinations
are provided at no cost to the patient.
In addition, the nurse will provide information that will allow the patient
to review all options and make informed decisions regarding treatment
of possible disease and pregnancy following sexual assault. The SANE nurse
will help formulate a discharge and follow up plan. All examinations,
tests and communications with the nurses will be conducted in complete
confidence.
Our SANE team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide
care and support.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is any sexual contact that is forced or against a person’s
wishes. It includes rape, incest, sexual harassment, child sexual assault,
marital rape and exposure. Sexual assault is a crime of violence.
Sexual assault can happen to anyone, of any age or gender.
- Every 98 seconds someone is sexually assaulted.
- One in three women is assaulted before the age of 18.
- One in four women report they were sexually assaulted during their college years.
- One in six men report they are sexually assaulted before the age of 18.
- Eighty percent of survivors are assaulted by someone they know or recognize.
Sexual assault often happens in a trusting relationship.
The stress a person feels after sexual assault may be short-tern, long-term
or both. In any case, Southeast Georgia Health System’s Sexual Assault
Nurse Examiners are trained to help. Learn more by contacting one of our
Emergency Care Centers at our Brunswick and Camden Campuses.