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SANE/SART
What is SANE/SART?
The Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team is a community-based coordinated
response to child and adult victims of sexual assault. The purpose of
this program is to provide immediate and follow-up medical, advocacy, and
criminal justice services to all victims of sexual assault. The
SANE/SART Program places emphasis on:
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History of reported incident
and pertinent health issues
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Investigation conducted by law
enforcement
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Forensic evidence collection,
identification and preservation
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Genital anatomy recognition
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Prophylaxis for sexually
transmitted diseases
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Community referrals
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Follow-up counseling by a local
sexual assault center
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Court testimony
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Development of protocol
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Public education aimed at
recognition and reduction of sexual violence
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Community collaboration
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Who is a SANE?
The Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiner is a Registered Nurse who has specific education to complete the
following:
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Who is part of SART?
The Sexual Assault Response
Team is composed of SANEs, victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors,
judicial members and other professionals with a vested interest in assisting
victims of sexual assault.
Law enforcement officers
initiate and direct the forensic collection of evidence when a sex crime is
reported. SANEs provide care to the victim and collect the forensic
evidence. Officers take the initial report from the victim and conduct
a formal investigation. Their report is sent to the District/County
Attorney's Office to be reviewed to determine what charges, if any, will be
filed against the alleged suspect.
Advocates provide support to
the victim and their families throughout the medical exam, the investigation
process and court proceedings. Advocates also offer follow-up support,
crisis counseling, support groups, information on sexual assault and trauma
and referrals for other services/resources.
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How does SANE/SART help a victim?
Victims are provided with
compassionate, non-judgmental services by individuals who have the
knowledge, experience and advanced education key to assisting victims.
Collaborative efforts by each team member assist in reducing the risk of
additional trauma to the victim. Exams are performed by a nurse
examiner who is educated and experienced in the procedure, ideally in a
private room away from the Emergency Department. Evidence is collected
more efficiently and consistently to aid in future prosecution. A
support structure for the victim is provided and follow-up is readily
available.
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Who will the SANE/SART Program help?
This program assists medical
personnel, victim advocates, law enforcement officers and judicial members
to do their job more efficiently. Each individual and/or agency
working with the victim will be able to define their role with the victim
more definitely and concentrate on that role. Victims will receive a
continuum of care that enhances safety and promotes their well being.
In addition, the family and friends involved with the victim will receive
support services. Communities also benefit by higher prosecution
rates.
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Why does my community need SANE/SART?
The goal of the SANE/SART
Program is to provide victims of sexual assault with services that are
supportive in order to aid in investigation and prosecution of sexual
offenders. Victims will be more likely to report assaults, communities
will have developed a coordinated effort to prosecute offenders and services
will be accessible and available.
A community commitment to the
SANE/SART Program conveys the following messages:
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This community will not
tolerate sexual violence.
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Victims of sexual assault
should feel safe in reporting the crime and confident that they will be
believed and supported.
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Victims of sexual assault will
be treated with compassion and understanding.
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Investigations will be
conducted and offenders will be prosecuted.
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For More Information
For more information on
SANE/SART education, please contact:
Mary Alice Weed, RN, BSN
SANE/SART Coordinator
Salina Regional Health Center
Santa Fe Campus
400 S. Santa Fe
Salina, KS 67401
(785) 452-7095
FAX (785) 452-6873
mweed@srhc.com
Funding for this project provided by Salina Regional Health Center,
Salina Regional Health Foundation Community Health Investment Program, Child
Abuse Prevention Services, Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas,
Earl Bane Foundation, Social and Rehabilitation Services, City of Salina,
Saline County, Salina Area United Way, Oneok Foundation, Kiwanis Club of
Salina, and individual donors.
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Notice of Nondiscrimination
Salina Regional Health Center provides patient admissions, room
assignments and patient services without regard to race, color, national
origin, disability or age.
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