Get Help at BRCC
Seeking medical attention.
You may be trying to decide whether or not you want to see a medical professional. Whether you go to your personal physicial or an emergency room, a medical exam is a way for you to not only have any internal or external injuries you may have sustained treated, but also to obtain information about sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Medical exams can be an important way for evidence to be collected.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE)
Forensic Nursing Defined
A forensic nurse, or SANE, is a nurse with specialized training in forensic evidence collection, criminal procedures, and legal testimony expertise. The forensic nurse becomes a liaison between the medical profession and the criminal justice system.
The SANE nurse conducts a very thorough forensic medical exam using a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit.
SANE nurses collaborate as part of a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). This team is made up of a detective, a SANE nurse, and an advocate from the local rape crisis center. Some SARTs expand to include the regional forensic laboratory and the Commonwealth Attorneys office.
Finding a SANE Nurse
If you would like to be seen by a SANE, the hospitals listed below have SANE programs. For a list of SANE programs located across the United States, click here.
- University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital
Chandler Emergency Department
1000 South Limestone
Lexington, KY 40536
- Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center
217 South Third Street
Danville, KY 40422
- University Hospital Emergency Department (Louisville)
U of L Health Care
530 South Jackson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
- St. Elizabeth Medical Center
401 East 20th Street
Covington, KY 41014
- Whitesburg ARH Clinic
222 Hospital Road
Whitesburg, KY 41858
ALL hospital emergency rooms can provide forensic rape evidence collection and medical treatment for victims of sexual violence even if a SANE program does not exist at that facility.
Resources
The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs has some helpful information about medical exams and SANE programs:
