Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner

About SANE

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program (SANE) helps victims in several important ways, the first of which is providing a safe and compassionate exam. That’s also the crucial first step to empowering victims to finding their own path to healing and recovery.

SANE nurses are fully trained staff with advanced training in medical-forensic examination and in psychological and emotional trauma. They’re here to help.

Understand the Crime

Rape is any sexual contact that is forced or is against your wishes. Rape is a crime of violence in which the assailant chooses to use power and control as weapons. Sexual assault is an unwanted, personal invasion of your space. The stress that results may be short term, long term or both.

Real People Behind the Statistics

Sexual assault can happen to anyone, from infants to the elderly. Sadly, one in three girls is assaulted before the age of 18. For boys, it’s one in six. One in four women reports having been sexually assaulted during her college years, yet only one of every ten cases is ever reported to the police. 80% of survivors are assaulted by someone they know or recognize. Rape often happens in a trusting relationship. But, victims no longer have to face it all alone. A SANE nurse is now always available to help.

SANE Care

Those who’ve been sexually assaulted understand what a frightening and traumatic experience it is. Fortunately, there is help you can trust. SANE Nurses (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) provide a safe, compassionate exam and help you begin the process of healing and recovery. In addition, they empower victims to determine their own plans for the future.

SANE nurses offer:

Emotional support
Physical exam and wellness check
Collection of medical-forensic evidence
Help with reporting the crime to police, when requested (mandatory reporting for children)
Credible information and assistance with concerns about sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy

SANE Nurses

It’s important to have a medical exam after a sexual assault. SANE nurses will provide the gentle, nonthreatening care you need, administering first-aid, providing counsel, and helping you sort through the many concerns you have following the trauma. They can help you review your options and will always respect your decisions.

SANE nurses have advanced training in collecting medical legal evidence, an important step even when victims do not intend to report the assault. In fact, a change of heart is commonplace in the midst of emotionally stressful times. SANE nurses are also sensitive to your needs during care and recovery. They will never coerce you into doing anything you don’t want to do, nor will they automatically report the crime to authorities. What they WILL do, however, is support your need to regain control of your life.

Follow-Up Care

We Are Here to Help

Regardless of when an assault occurs, we encourage all victims to seek medical services to discuss both short-term and long-term health concerns. You can talk to a SANE nurse anytime by calling the Southwest Health Emergency Department directly at (608)342-4730. Call ER to inquire if SANE available and we will assist you in scheduling an exam.

This program is Funded in part by a generous gift from the Elmer G Biddick Charitable Foundation.