Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program

What is the SANE Program?

The SANE Program of the Forensic Nursing Services of Santa Fe, New Mexico's CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center involves specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE)—Forensic Nurse Examiners who provide evaluations and services to victims of sexual violence, sexual assault, or abuse when needed. Services may need to be done immediately or may be scheduled at the Family Advocacy Center.

The Forensic Nurse Examiner provides a medical screening exam along with a thorough evidentiary examination. The Forensic Nurse Examiner collects physical evidence during the exam. The Forensic Nurse Examiner makes a complete and detailed report of the assault or the abuse and any physical findings.

The SANE Program aids with legal investigations, if necessary, by working with City, County, State, and Tribal Police agencies. The Forensic Nurse Examiner provides impartial professional testimony to the courts when necessary.

What about crisis intervention?

The SANE Program activates the specially trained Santa Fe Rape Crisis Advocates, part of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), to respond for victims cared for by the SANE Program. This collaboration ensures that immediate crisis intervention is provided for all victims of violence or abuse and their families. Follow-up counseling is available through the Santa Fe Rape Crisis & Trauma Treatment Center and other community agencies.

What is the Family Advocacy Center?

The SANE Program works with many agencies to address sexual abuse and sexual violence. The SANE Program is a member of the Santa Fe Family Advocacy Center. This is a multidisciplinary collaborative Center where victims of sexual violence and their families can come to one location and receive services from many different agencies.

The Family Advocacy Center is the location for the Santa Fe Rape Crisis & Trauma Treatment Center's StrongHeart SafeHouse (forensic interviewing service) for juvenile investigations with the Santa Fe Police Department and the SANE Program. Many other agencies collaborate and support these investigative efforts, such as:

• Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD).
• First Judicial District Attorney's Office.
• Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office.
• New Mexico State Police.
• Tribal/Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Police.

What services does the SANE Program offer?

All services provided by the SANE Program are free to the victim and their families. These include:

• Documentation of any physical findings or injuries.
• Colposcopic (vaginal magnification) examination with state-of-the-art equipment by experts in this field.
• History documentation of the assault, abuse, or violence.
• Evaluation and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
• Pregnancy risk evaluation and preventative medicines if appropriate.
• Crisis intervention and arrangement for follow-up counseling services.
• Medical, legal, and social services referrals as needed.
• Collection of medical and legal evidence for possible use by the judicial system.

How can I activate the SANE Program and the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)?

The SANE is now located within the Santa Fe Rape Crisis & Trauma Treatment facility. The SANE can be activated several ways:

• Go directly to the Emergency Department at CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center following a sexual assault that may require medical attention. They will contact the SANE Program.
• Or arrange for SANE Program services by calling the answering service at 505.989.5952 and make an appointment at the Family Advocacy Center location.
• Or contact the Santa Fe Rape Crisis & Trauma Treatment Center at 505.986.9111 and ask for SANE Program Services.
• Or contact any law enforcement agency (City of Santa Fe Police, Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico State Police, or Tribal Police) and request SANE Program Services.

What do I do if I was assaulted or suspect child sexual abuse?

• If you have been sexually assaulted, do not eat, drink, bathe, or change clothing until contacting one of the SANE Program nurses, law enforcement, or the rape crisis hotline. Valuable evidence can be saved. The evidence may be needed for an investigation.
• If you are older than 18 and do not want the police notified, physical evidence should be collected and stored until you choose to make a police report. This evidence would otherwise be lost.
• If you suspect child sexual abuse, contact the SANE Program, New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), or the police. A specially trained team works to investigate child sexual abuse. By acknowledging the child's and the family's special needs and concerns, the team works to minimize the trauma to all involved.

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