Essential SANE LINKS
Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Technical Assistance Project
The purpose of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Technical Assistance Project is to help disseminate and provide technical assistance for the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Protocol of 2004, released as a component of the President’s DNA Initiative. This site provides assess to the National Protocol, National Training Standards, and technical assistance links.
International Association of Forensic Nurses
"Certification as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A)
demonstrates to nurse colleagues, clients, employers, and others in the medical-legal
system that you are knowledgeable of, experienced in, and committed to SANE
specialty practice. Individuals who earn the SANE-A credential obtain objective
validation of their expertise. The process of becoming certified enhances your
professional development and provides opportunities for professional growth"
(International Association of Forensic Nurses, 2002).
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
While a multitude of information regarding sexual assault may be found at
this website a special section is held in reserve for SANE's and SAFE's. Related
information regarding cultural competency, medical concerns, guidelines, legislation,
training, resources, children and adolescents and payment is also present.
Pennsylvania's Coalition Against Rape Medical Advocacy
Frequently asked questions, SART guidelines, emergency contraception, newsletters
and links provide advocates and SANE's with information to facilitate the care
and treatment of sexual assault clients and the support the practice of health
care providers to victims of sexual assault.
This website funded by the Office of Justice, Office of Victims is designed
for nursing professionals involved in providing evaluations of sexually abused
victims. It provides information in the form of journal articles, resources,
tracking information, job postings, forensic degree programs and continuing
education opportunities.
Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements
"Sexual violence is a significant public health problem in the United States. However, measuring the problem can be difficult due to the lack of consistency in the use of terminology and data elements for sexual violence. Without consistency, we cannot monitor and track trends for sexual violence to determine the scope of the problem. To address this issue, CDC’s Injury Center, through extensive consultations with researchers and practitioners, has developed Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements, Version 1.0. These recommendations are crucial for standardizing definitions and data elements for sexual violence surveillance. Better quality and timely incidence and prevalence estimates can be useful for a wide audience, including policymakers, researchers, public health practitioners, victim advocates, service providers, and media professionals.
This publication is available free from the CDC's Injury Center online order form” (CDC, 2003).
STOP IT NOW!—underway in Vermont and Philadelphia—is a unique intervention that uses a web site, e-mail system, and community action campaign to target potential child sexual offenders. It aims to stop sexual abuse from occurring rather than intervening afterwards, as most programs have done. STOP IT NOW! prevents child sexual abuse by developing awareness in abusers and potential abusers to stop sexual abuse and seek help. STOP IT NOW! also educates families, peers, and friends about talking with those they know who may be sexually abusing a child. In addition, STOP IT NOW! focuses on changing the social, political, and public policy climate so that child sexual abuse will no longer be tolerated (CDC, 2003).
Submitted 11/23/2003
Pamela Pranke RN MSN
North Dakota Board of Nursing Opinion Regarding Vaginal Speculum – Colposcopic Exams
The North Dakota Board of Nursing expresses support of SANE nursing as being within the realm of nursing practice through their Opinion Statement made in 1999.
It is within the scope of practice of an RN to perform a vaginal speculum/colposcope exam for sexual assault victims following these requirements:
1) Satisfactory completion of formal advanced education in forensic examination of sexual assault victims;
2) Documentation of satisfactory completion of the course of instruction is on file with the employer;
3) The registered nurse has the knowledge skills and judgment for the task;
4) Qualified backup is available; and
5) It is within the agency’s policies.
Adopted: 9/99
