I just have to send out a RAVE to the folks at Harborview for their implementation of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner role within their emergency services. Most people don't know that there is... More

I just have to send out a RAVE to the folks at Harborview for their implementation of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner role within their emergency services. Most people don't know that there is only 1 hospital in the area that provides this much needed service for rape/sexual assault victims. The beauty of having an onsite SANE nurse available is that the exam, which becomes a collection of evidence, is done properly so that if a victim chooses to file charges against an attacker there is a clear chain of evidence. It's unbelievable how frequently a drop in the chain of evidence has damaged a victim's opportunity to seek justice. The SANE program has been in place only since the late 1980's and there are roughly 200 in the nation (that's it). Harborview not only has staffing available for SANE's (usually the SANE programs must find outside funding) in their emergency department but they also provide training for SANE trainees throughout the State of Washington. As a board member for FEAR Project http://www.FearProject.org that works within the training program I salute the strength of these individuals and the job that they do. I hope to see more of these programs building in the USA, and around the world for that matter.
Less