With the holidays here, advocates for survivors of rape and domestic violence say there’s concern about an annual uptick in the number of attacks this time of year.
Now, underserved areas of South Dakota are getting more resources– including telehealth assessments– through a statewide program called Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners– or SANE.
SANE program coordinator for the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment Kristi Kranz says these individuals play an important role in working with someone who’s just experienced a traumatic event.
“Both on the medical side, to ensure that they’re receiving the best medical care, and then also on the forensic side, to collect the potential evidence if the victim wants to move forward with reporting that to law enforcement.”
One of the emerging elements of the program is through Avera Health, which now offers around-the-clock telehealth exams in rural emergency rooms.
SANE Supervisor for Avera Health Jen Canton says prior to these options, survivors were often sent hours away to the state’s largest towns. She says having immediate, specialized care available at 17 sites across the state helps prevent setbacks in an assault survivor’s attempt to confront the situation.
“It kind of sets the pathway for their healing. So, if they have a bad experience in the ER, it can negatively affect their healing. If they have a positive one, it sets them on a positive road to healing.”
Leaders behind South Dakota’s broader SANE program say it has been renewed for another year of funding, in hopes of training more nurses. Trained SANE staff help with patient assessments as the person is being tended to by onsite medical personnel.
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