BY DEBRA LOPEZ-BONASSO
“I’m sorry this happened to you.”
These were the first words that one sexual assault victim heard when her sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) entered the exam room — and that made all the difference.
SANEs are specifically trained to collect forensic evidence after a sexual assault to seek justice. They are also trained in how to handle the emotional impacts of the trauma caused by sexual victimization so they can begin to heal.
It’s common for patients to be overwhelmed and confused by what has happened to them. In this particular case, the victim had a feeling something had happened the night before, but struggled to remember the details and felt confused as she tried to connect all the pieces. When she decided to go to the emergency room, she was concerned about the prospect of telling someone she didn’t know the details of her assault.
While the SANE’s words had a lasting effect on the victim, her demeanor and silence played an important role, too. The victim described an instant connection to the SANE.
The SANE was kind when she explained her role and background, and continued to communicate through every step of the evidence collection process. The SANE always made sure the victim was OK before moving on to the next step of the exam.
When the SANE asked the victim about the assault, she acknowledged it would be difficult to talk about it and gave the victim time to compose herself when she became emotional. Sometimes, nothing needed to be said; the SANE’s sympathetic demeanor communicated an understanding.
The SANE let the victim know that what happened was not her fault and told her how courageous she was to come forward.
The victim expressed that she was grateful to have a SANE complete her sexual assault exam. Having a SANE say, “I believe you” and “I’m here to help you” began her journey to heal.
“It is a privilege to be part of someone’s life at a moment like this,” said the SANE who worked with this victim at WVU Medicine’s Ruby Memorial Hospital. “We have a responsibility to each patient. There are so few of us, but so many more are needed.”
Show your support for SANEs by attending the Fourth Annual Champagne for SANEs event from 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Table 9 in Morgantown. This event raises money for SANE training for nurses from Monongalia County. This training is sponsored by the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services, the state sexual assault coalition.
Debra Lopez-Bonasso is the education coordinator for West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services, who lives in Fairmont. This commentary should be considered another point of view and not necessarily the opinion or editorial policy of The Dominion Post.
