PAVSA to provide new medical services to sexual assault victims
Duluth Mayor Don Ness on April 2 will issue a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The proclamation will be held in conjunction with a press conference to announce a new community Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. This essential service has been made possible by a unique collaboration between PAVSA, St. Mary’s Medical Center and St. Luke’s Hospital.
The SANE Program, coordinated through PAVSA, is a community-based medical and forensic response to victims of sexual assault. Sexual assault nurse examiners are registered nurses who understand the dynamics of sexual assault and are specially trained in collection of forensic evidence, medical/legal interviewing and documentation, and expert witness testimony.
This program ensures that victims of sexual assault receive the best possible care and resources when they report to either of the emergency departments in Duluth. The thorough and standardized means of collecting evidence by SANEs plays a crucial role in the investigation of these cases and increases the likelihood for prosecution of perpetrators.
In addition to the collaborative efforts of St. Mary’s, St. Luke’s and PAVSA, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, Duluth Police Department, St. Louis County Attorney’s Office, First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center and St. Louis County Social Services have been an integral part of the multidisciplinary team responsible for planning and implementing SANE.
This program is not only an exciting addition to the resources available to victims of sexual assault in our community, it is vital. While a victim-centered team response to sexual assault is imperative, community response to sexual violence need not be purely reactionary, we must be proactive as well.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an opportunity to shed light on a horrifying crime that often goes unnoticed and unreported for a myriad of reasons. Unfortunately, this violent act is a reality in our community. Various events throughout the month of April provide community members a chance to learn more about what they can do to end sexual violence.
Events for April will be announced at the proclamation.
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