To access SANE services, call 1-833-577-SANE (7263)
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program
Call 1-833-577-SANE (7263) for 24/7 support after sexual assault at
South Shore Regional Hospital
Valley Regional Hospital
Yarmouth Regional Hospital
Fisherman's Memorial Hospital
ROSEWAY HOSPITAL
DIGBY HOSPITAL
SOLDIER's Memorial Hospital
PRESS RELEASE
August 1, 2023, time
SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAM LAUNCHES AT DIGBY HOSPITAL AND SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
The Tri County Women’s Centre is expanding their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program today, August 1, 2023. SANE trained registered nurses will provide 24/7 medical and forensic response to sexual assault at Digby Hospital and Soldiers Memorial Hospital, or as hospital opening hours allow. The service is available to all survivors and victims of recent sexual assault (7 days), aged 13 years and older. Someone wishing to access the Western Zone SANE Program can call 1-833-577-SANE (7263) or go to the Emergency Department.
The SANE Program strives to provide sensitive, professional care in a manner that restores control to those who are survivors and victims of sexual assault. Through a community team approach, the program aims to respond to many aspects of the individual’s needs, including physical, psychological, social, and legal.
“The expansion of the two sites will help bridge some gaps in services and provide more entry points for the SANE Program. Our efforts and aim are directed at increasing the specialized access to medical treatment, forensic evidence collection, community support referrals, and timely support for victims” said Shana Vidito, Western Zone SANE Program Coordinator. “Our SANE team of nurses and community partners have worked diligently to implement the Western SANE program.” Trish McCourt, Executive Director of the Tri County Women’s Centre, is looking forward to continuing to build the program with additional response sites throughout the region: “the launch of two more response sites – for a total of seven locations - is the result of support from community partnerships and Nova Scotia Health. We continue to work with the community to ensure survivors and victims have specialized access to the supports they need.”
August 1, 2023, time
SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAM LAUNCHES AT DIGBY HOSPITAL AND SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
The Tri County Women’s Centre is expanding their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program today, August 1, 2023. SANE trained registered nurses will provide 24/7 medical and forensic response to sexual assault at Digby Hospital and Soldiers Memorial Hospital, or as hospital opening hours allow. The service is available to all survivors and victims of recent sexual assault (7 days), aged 13 years and older. Someone wishing to access the Western Zone SANE Program can call 1-833-577-SANE (7263) or go to the Emergency Department.
The SANE Program strives to provide sensitive, professional care in a manner that restores control to those who are survivors and victims of sexual assault. Through a community team approach, the program aims to respond to many aspects of the individual’s needs, including physical, psychological, social, and legal.
“The expansion of the two sites will help bridge some gaps in services and provide more entry points for the SANE Program. Our efforts and aim are directed at increasing the specialized access to medical treatment, forensic evidence collection, community support referrals, and timely support for victims” said Shana Vidito, Western Zone SANE Program Coordinator. “Our SANE team of nurses and community partners have worked diligently to implement the Western SANE program.” Trish McCourt, Executive Director of the Tri County Women’s Centre, is looking forward to continuing to build the program with additional response sites throughout the region: “the launch of two more response sites – for a total of seven locations - is the result of support from community partnerships and Nova Scotia Health. We continue to work with the community to ensure survivors and victims have specialized access to the supports they need.”
What is SANE?
The Tri-County Women’s Centre Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program provides physical and medical care while respecting the choices made by victims/survivors.
All SANEs are registered nurses who have advanced training in forensic examinations and support of sexual assault survivors/victims. The Western NS SANE program provides physical examinations and forensic evidence collection in the Annapolis Valley Regional, South Shore Regional, and Yarmouth Regional Hospital emergency departments.
Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. SANEs promote the right of victims/survivors to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
How to Access the SANE Program
The SANE Program Provides:
The SANE Program does not Provide:
Why Access the SANE Program
It is important that a victim/survivor of recent sexual assault/abuse consider seeking medical attention for several reasons:
What Happens at the Hospital?
After informing medical personnel about the sexual assault at the emergency room, or contacting the SANE Response Line, the victim/survivor may have immediate medical attention provided by the emergency room staff if needed. They can then meet the SANE nurse at the hospital for further physical examination and/or forensic evidence collection.
Medical and/or forensic exams will only be conducted by SANEs with the victim/survivor’s consent. The victim/survivor can stop the process at any time.
Medical Examination
The medical examination, conducted by the SANE, may include:
Forensic Examination
A forensic examination can be conducted within 5 days (120 hours) of an assault.
It is preferable, but not mandatory, for the victim/survivor not to shower, bathe, douche, use the washroom, change clothes, eat/drink, or clean teeth, etc. until the exam is completed. Any of these things could remove or alter evidence. If you have done these things, do not worry - you can still access SANE if you choose to.
A forensic examination includes the steps listed for a medical exam and may also include:
What Happens to the Forensic Samples Collected?
It is the victims/survivors who make decisions about whether to report the sexual assault to the police or not. They have three options:
All SANEs are registered nurses who have advanced training in forensic examinations and support of sexual assault survivors/victims. The Western NS SANE program provides physical examinations and forensic evidence collection in the Annapolis Valley Regional, South Shore Regional, and Yarmouth Regional Hospital emergency departments.
- SANEs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- SANEs serve people of all genders, and those who are non-binary, aged 13 years and older, who have been sexually assaulted within the last five days (120 hours).
Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. SANEs promote the right of victims/survivors to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
How to Access the SANE Program
- Call the Western NS SANE answering service, 1-833-577-SANE (7263), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Go to your local emergency department. The staff will call a SANE.
- Visit a service provider you trust in the community and they can help you connect with SANE.
The SANE Program Provides:
- Response within an hour and a half at the Valley Regional, South Shore Regional, and Yarmouth Regional Hospital emergency departments.
- Testimony in a court of law
- Supportive follow-up for victims
- Storage of forensic evidence for six months
- Telephone response line for immediate sexual assault information and support
The SANE Program does not Provide:
- Medical services outside the hospital emergency department
- Medical treatment to anyone other than victims/survivors
Why Access the SANE Program
It is important that a victim/survivor of recent sexual assault/abuse consider seeking medical attention for several reasons:
- To take care of physical issues related to the assault/abuse
- To test for infections and pregnancy
- To begin treatment if required
- To collect evidence if requested by the victim
- To reduce undue worry later on
What Happens at the Hospital?
After informing medical personnel about the sexual assault at the emergency room, or contacting the SANE Response Line, the victim/survivor may have immediate medical attention provided by the emergency room staff if needed. They can then meet the SANE nurse at the hospital for further physical examination and/or forensic evidence collection.
Medical and/or forensic exams will only be conducted by SANEs with the victim/survivor’s consent. The victim/survivor can stop the process at any time.
Medical Examination
The medical examination, conducted by the SANE, may include:
- Taking a history
- Documenting details of the assault/abuse to help identify potential infections, injuries or treatment required
- Taking blood and urine samples to test for pregnancy and/or infections (follow-up testing may need to occur)
- Doing a general physical exam
- Doing an internal exam
- Providing information regarding follow-up testing and/or treatment
Forensic Examination
A forensic examination can be conducted within 5 days (120 hours) of an assault.
It is preferable, but not mandatory, for the victim/survivor not to shower, bathe, douche, use the washroom, change clothes, eat/drink, or clean teeth, etc. until the exam is completed. Any of these things could remove or alter evidence. If you have done these things, do not worry - you can still access SANE if you choose to.
A forensic examination includes the steps listed for a medical exam and may also include:
- Collecting clothing for evidence
- A head to toe visual exam looking for bruises, cuts, scratches, bloodstains, etc.
- Taking photographs of injuries
What Happens to the Forensic Samples Collected?
It is the victims/survivors who make decisions about whether to report the sexual assault to the police or not. They have three options:
- If victims/survivors decide to report the assault to the police immediately, the SANEs will notify the police and hand over forensic evidence to them at that time.
- If victims/survivors decide not to file a report with police immediately, they may still want to have a forensic examination done. If they choose to do so, they can have forensic evidence collected and stored by the SANE program for up to six months.
- If victims/survivors decide to report the sexual assault within the six month period, the SANE Coordinator will contact the police and provide them with the forensic evidence. The police will then proceed with the investigation.
SANE Employment Opportunities
Currently accepting applications for:
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Lunenburg and Queens Counties)
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Tri Counties)
Please send applications via email to SANE@tricountywomenscentre.org
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners - WesTERN Region
Send application via email to SANE@tricountywomenscentre.org
| sane_job_posting_english_south_shore_april_2018_final.pdf |
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (WESTERN Region)
Send application via email to SANE@tricountywomenscentre.org
| sane_job_posting_-_english.pdf |
| sane_job_posting_-_french.pdf |
TRI COUNTY WOMEN’S CENTRE LAUNCHES SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAM
The Tri County Women’s Centre launches the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program today, September 4, 2018. SANE trained registered nurses will provide 24/7 medical and forensic response to sexual assault at Yarmouth Regional Hospital. The service is available to all survivors and victims of recent (within the last 120 hours) sexual assault, aged 13 years and older. Someone wishing to access the SANE nurses can call 1-833-577-SANE (7263) or go to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital Emergency Department.
The SANE Program strives to provide sensitive, professional care in a manner that restores control to those who are survivors and victims of sexual assault. Through a community team approach, the program aims to respond to many aspects of the individual’s needs, including physical, psychological, social, and legal.
“The SANE Program is a part of efforts to increase access to medical treatment, forensic evidence collection and community support referrals, said Carmen Phinney, SANE Program Coordinator. “Our SANE team of nurses and community partners has worked diligently to prepare for the launch of the program.” Lisanne Turner, Executive Director of the Tri County Women’s Centre, is looking forward to building the program: “this launch is the result of community partnerships and support from NSHA. We will continue to work with the community to ensure survivors and victims have access to the supports they need.”
The Western Nova Scotia SANE Program is funded by the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA).
The Tri County Women’s Centre launches the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program today, September 4, 2018. SANE trained registered nurses will provide 24/7 medical and forensic response to sexual assault at Yarmouth Regional Hospital. The service is available to all survivors and victims of recent (within the last 120 hours) sexual assault, aged 13 years and older. Someone wishing to access the SANE nurses can call 1-833-577-SANE (7263) or go to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital Emergency Department.
The SANE Program strives to provide sensitive, professional care in a manner that restores control to those who are survivors and victims of sexual assault. Through a community team approach, the program aims to respond to many aspects of the individual’s needs, including physical, psychological, social, and legal.
“The SANE Program is a part of efforts to increase access to medical treatment, forensic evidence collection and community support referrals, said Carmen Phinney, SANE Program Coordinator. “Our SANE team of nurses and community partners has worked diligently to prepare for the launch of the program.” Lisanne Turner, Executive Director of the Tri County Women’s Centre, is looking forward to building the program: “this launch is the result of community partnerships and support from NSHA. We will continue to work with the community to ensure survivors and victims have access to the supports they need.”
The Western Nova Scotia SANE Program is funded by the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA).
HEALTH/WELLNESS--Tri-County Women's Centre to Offer Expanded Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Service
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Tri-County Women's Centre will soon offer expanded sexual assault nurse examiner service to residents of southwestern Nova Scotia, the Annapolis Valley, and the South Shore.
The group has signed a three-year contract with Nova Scotia Health Authority to provide expanded service in these areas, following a request for proposals issued in mid-April.
Under the sexual assault nurse examiner program, the first of two specially trained nurses will respond within 1.5 hours, around the clock. This happens most often at the request of emergency departments but sometimes at community clinics. The nurses can perform a physical examination, ensure forensic evidence is protected in case the victim decides to make a criminal complaint, and provide crisis intervention and emotional support.
Bernadette MacDonald, executive director of the Tri-County Women's Centre, said a program co-ordinator will also reach out to those who have been sexually assaulted days and weeks afterward, to support them if they choose to report the assault to police, and offer counselling or other community supports as needed.
"We all know about the low numbers of sexual assaults that are reported. This is a very good model to help victims of sexual assault come forward. It's responsive to their needs," said Ms. MacDonald.
Over the coming months, the group will hire nurses to respond on call across the region. They will train the nurses, develop agreements with service locations and community support groups, and set up protocols and training with emergency department staff. Expanded service is expected to begin in January.
The province will invest $700,000 per year to expand service in this area, as well as Cape Breton.
"Expanding the sexual assault nurse examiner service in southwestern Nova Scotia, the South Shore and the Annapolis Valley means that more people will have access to expert care at a time when they are most vulnerable," said Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine.
Sexual assault nurse examiners are specially trained to provide crisis intervention, medical care and emotional support to those who have been sexually assaulted. This support is available to anyone who has been sexually assaulted, of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
"This expansion of service is a positive enhancement to the services we are able to offer to those who experience sexual assault," said Lindsay Peach, vice-president of Integrated Health Services Community Support and Management, Nova Scotia Health Authority. "We are pleased to be able to work with these community partners in establishing expanded access to the sexual assault nurse examiner service."
There are two groups offering provincially funded sexual assault nurse examiner service in the province -- the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, which provides service in Halifax and West Hants, and the Antigonish Women's Resource Centre and Sexual Assault Services Association, which covers New Glasgow to Port Hawkesbury.
The expansion of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program is part of Breaking the Silence: A Coordinated Response to Sexual Violence in Nova Scotia, the first provincewide sexual violence strategy launched in June 2015.
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Tri-County Women's Centre will soon offer expanded sexual assault nurse examiner service to residents of southwestern Nova Scotia, the Annapolis Valley, and the South Shore.
The group has signed a three-year contract with Nova Scotia Health Authority to provide expanded service in these areas, following a request for proposals issued in mid-April.
Under the sexual assault nurse examiner program, the first of two specially trained nurses will respond within 1.5 hours, around the clock. This happens most often at the request of emergency departments but sometimes at community clinics. The nurses can perform a physical examination, ensure forensic evidence is protected in case the victim decides to make a criminal complaint, and provide crisis intervention and emotional support.
Bernadette MacDonald, executive director of the Tri-County Women's Centre, said a program co-ordinator will also reach out to those who have been sexually assaulted days and weeks afterward, to support them if they choose to report the assault to police, and offer counselling or other community supports as needed.
"We all know about the low numbers of sexual assaults that are reported. This is a very good model to help victims of sexual assault come forward. It's responsive to their needs," said Ms. MacDonald.
Over the coming months, the group will hire nurses to respond on call across the region. They will train the nurses, develop agreements with service locations and community support groups, and set up protocols and training with emergency department staff. Expanded service is expected to begin in January.
The province will invest $700,000 per year to expand service in this area, as well as Cape Breton.
"Expanding the sexual assault nurse examiner service in southwestern Nova Scotia, the South Shore and the Annapolis Valley means that more people will have access to expert care at a time when they are most vulnerable," said Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill, on behalf of Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine.
Sexual assault nurse examiners are specially trained to provide crisis intervention, medical care and emotional support to those who have been sexually assaulted. This support is available to anyone who has been sexually assaulted, of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
"This expansion of service is a positive enhancement to the services we are able to offer to those who experience sexual assault," said Lindsay Peach, vice-president of Integrated Health Services Community Support and Management, Nova Scotia Health Authority. "We are pleased to be able to work with these community partners in establishing expanded access to the sexual assault nurse examiner service."
There are two groups offering provincially funded sexual assault nurse examiner service in the province -- the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, which provides service in Halifax and West Hants, and the Antigonish Women's Resource Centre and Sexual Assault Services Association, which covers New Glasgow to Port Hawkesbury.
The expansion of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program is part of Breaking the Silence: A Coordinated Response to Sexual Violence in Nova Scotia, the first provincewide sexual violence strategy launched in June 2015.