Woman of the Day: SANE
A SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) is a registered nurse who has advanced
educational and clinical preparation in forensic examination ofsexual assault
victims. - definition provided by U.S. Department of Justice. SANE programs
started in response to a need for more complete and compassionate examination
of sexual assault victims. The program at Charity Hospital was started in
2000 and has seen over 800 patients since its inception. SANEs, in addition
to full-time nursing jobs, take 12 hour shifts on call.
The Sexual Assault Response Team is comprised of the SANE, the police and the YWCA medical advocate who work together to care for the patient who has been sexually assaulted
SANE programs have benefited sexual assault victims by:
Providing compassionate care Providing comprehensive forensic evidencecollection
by specially trained RN Patient is treated one-on-one by dedicated RN Patient
is given support in notifying authorities Better chain of custody Higher conviction
rate of perpetrators
SANE exams are now considered the standard of care for victims of sexual assault.
Each patient is treated by a specially trained staff with a desire to do
the work instead of just fitting the exam into a busy Emergency Department
work load. The first picture is Ecoee Rooney (second from the right) and
Wanda Pezant (another SANE, far left) at the New Orleans Police Department
Crime lab - they are posing with DNA Scientists in the new DNA lab. The second
picture is of Director Deb Travis (left) and SANE Cindy Caron.