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Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program - SANE

You’re not alone

No one has the right to force unwanted sexual activity on another person. If you have been sexually assaulted, you have experienced a very serious personal trauma. Whatever the circumstances, you did not deserve to be raped. You could not have known it would happen --- no one could have. It is not your fault and you do not have to cope alone. The SANE Program staff is here to assist you in getting all the help you need.

Program information

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program provides expert, sensitive health care and treatment to the victims of sexual assault. Upon request, a specially trained nurse will evaluate a patient for health risks associated with sexual assault and provide appropriate treatment. The nurse also collects evidence of the assault to be used in the investigation and prosecution of the crime if the victim reports the crime.

The SANE Program provides these specialized services at Mercy, Unity, United, St. Paul Children’s, Buffalo, and Princeton Hospitals. A sexual assault nurse examiner is available 24 hours a day and may be accessed through each of the hospitals' emergency departments.

Care & treatment

A sexual assault nurse examiner provides care for victims whose assault has occurred within the previous 72 hours. Patients will receive the information and support needed to make personal choices about the health care offered. During a sexual assault exam, patients can expect any or all of the following:

• Identification and care of injuries
• Evidence collection
• Risk assessment and preventative treatment for sexually transmitted diseases
• Risk assessment and emergency pregnancy prevention
• Crisis information and referral to support services
• Referrals for appropriate medical follow-up

Although every sexual assault victim has the right to report the crime, not all victims choose to. Regardless of the reporting decision, support services that provide crisis intervention, counseling, support groups, medical and legal care are available to all victims.

What is a SANE?

A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a nurse who has received special education and training surrounding the care of people subjected to sexual and family violence.

What other services do we provide to the community?

The SANE program staff is well versed on issues surrounding family and sexual violence. Upon request, we will provide education to interested agencies, schools, and other community groups. Examples of subject matter could include:

• Sexual violence; the magnitude of the problem
• Health issues related to sexual violence
• Drug facilitated sexual assault
• Intimate partner violence
• Child abuse
• Safety issues
• Dating violence

For more information on education, contact Karine Zakroczymski, 763-236-4172.

Violence is a major public health problem. Understanding is the first step toward intervention.
 

Unity Hospital
550 Osborne Road
Fridley, MN 55432
763-236-5000
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