SANE Program

What does the word SANE mean?

SANE is an acronym or abbreviation for a specialty nurse called a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. 

 A SANE Nurse is a registered nurse who has received advanced training in the care and treatment of survivors of sexual assault.

Does the Crisis Center have a SANE Nurse?

Yes, the Crisis Center has a SANE Nurse on call at all times.

Why should I use the Crisis Center's SANE Nurse?

The Crisis Center's SANE Nurse provides individualized care in a private facility away from the hustle and bustle of a busy emergency room. 

In an emergency room, some patients have waited as long as six to ten hours to be examined by ER staff.  By utilizing the SANE program, the amount of time spent for examination and treatment can be reduced by one-half to two-thirds.

The SANE Nurse will perform a pelvic exam to check for injuries.  If you give your permission, the SANE nurse will also collect physical evidence of rape to be used if you choose to prosecute.  This procedure is called a “rape kit” and means that samples of body fluids, hair and other materials will be collected and put into containers for later examination by a laboratory. The sooner you have an exam after the rape, the more accurate the evidence will be.  Medications will also be given to you to help prevent transmission of disease. You will be given information about where to go for medical follow up and what to do.

Are there requirements to see the SANE Nurse?

Yes, the SANE program requires four criteria to be met for examination:

• The assault must have occurred within the past 72 hours or law enforcement must request the examination

• The victim must be at least 13 years old

• The victim must be medically stable (nothing broken, bleeding, or pregnant)

• A police report must be filed or will be filed at the facility,  This does not mean that charges will be filed against the assailant, but only an initial police report is filed that documents that an assault did occur.

Do I have to make an appointment to see the SANE Nurse?

No, the SANE appointment is made for you.

If you call a Law Enforcement Officer to the crime scene, the officer will call set up the SANE Nurse appointment.

If you go to a Local Hospital Emergency Room, the Emergency Room Nurse will set up the SANE Nurse appointment.

If you call Rape Response, the Telephone Counselor will set up the SANE Nurse appointment.

Where is the SANE Nurse located?

The SANE Nurse is located in a confidential location, designed to provide confidentiality and safety for the client.  The SANE Nurse will meet the client at the Crisis Center office and escort them to the SANE facility.

For directions to the Crisis Center office, click (here).

How do I get to the Crisis Center office?

There are numerous options that are available to get you to our office:

If you have your own transportation and feel emotionally and physically capable of safely driving, you can drive yourself.

You can have a friend or relative drive you.

You can have a police officer drive you.

You can have a Taxi Service drive you (we will reimburse you for the cost of the Taxi service).

Do I have to pay for the SANE Nurse?

No, the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Fund will pay for the rape kit examination.  You may also be eligible for reimbursement of other expenses incurred as a result of the assault.  Your Rape Response advocate will help you with this process.

What can I expect if I  use the Crisis Center's SANE Program?

Sexual assault victims, along with any friends or family, are initially received at the Crisis Center's office, which is a secure facility. 

When arriving at the Crisis Center's office, the victim, along with any family or friends, will be  immediately located in a comfortable and relaxing waiting room.  The waiting room is a private environment, separate from the traffic flow of the Crisis Center office   A Crisis Center Rape Advocate, specifically trained in sexual assault intervention, will meet with the victim in the  waiting room. 

The Rape Advocate is there to support the victim and answer any questions about the SANE process.  From this initial meeting, until the total SANE examination is completed, the victim's Rape Advocate will be at the victim's side offering assistance. 

Once the SANE Nurse arrives at the Crisis Center, the victim, any family and friends, the Rape Advocate, and SANE Nurse will travel to the SANE facility.

Shown below is a picture of the Crisis Center Waiting Room.

SANE Facility Waiting Room

The SANE Waiting Room is a comfortable and relaxing "home-like" environment where victims, along with their family and friends, can comfortably relax.  Free snacks, soft drinks, magazines, books, and games are provided.  A television is also available for viewing.

After arriving at the SANE Facility Waiting Room, a short interview is normally conducted by the SANE Nurse.  The interview usually lasts from five to ten minutes and is designed to gather basic information about the victim and determine the specifics of the sexual assault.  During this process, the victim has the opportunity to ask any questions.

After the interview, the victim, the Rape Advocate and SANE Nurse will leave the waiting room and go to the examination room.  All family and friends remain in the waiting room.

Shown below is a picture of the SANE Facility Waiting Room.

SANE Facility Examination Room

Three individuals are present in the examination room: the victim, the victim's Rape Advocate, and the victim's SANE Nurse.  The examination room is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that is not available in local emergency rooms.  The examination room and equipment are designed specifically to maintain the maximum level of comfort for the victim, provide the necessary medical treatment, and collect the required forensic evidence.

A SANE examination normally lasts approximately forty-five minutes.  Of the total examination time, the majority of the examination time is spent on an external examination of the victim to determine bruising or scratching and to collect any external evidence.

After the examination is completed, the victim is allowed to shower.  Since the victim's clothes are retained as forensic evidence, free clothing is provided to the victim. 

All forensic evidence is collected in what is called a Rape Kit, which is a uniform and standard evidence box that meets all legal requirements.  The completed Rape Kit is sent to the State Crime Laboratory for official and controlled retention. 

Post-Examination Conference

Once the examination is completed, the victim and their Rape Advocate normally return to the waiting room.  At this time, the Rape Advocate will answer any additional questions and discuss issues that may be of concern to the victim.  Typical issues discussed might include  the trauma that the victim may expect to encounter over the next forty-eight hours or the follow-up options available for additional free individual or group counseling. 

As a final part of the post-examination conference, the victim's transportation form the SANE Facility to the victim's residence is assured.  Normally, transportation is provided by the victim's family and friends or by a police officer.  If needed, transportation may be provided by a taxi cab service, which will be provided free.

Follow-up Contact

Within one week a Rape Counselor from the Crisis Center should contact the victim by phone.  to offer follow-up assistance.