You’re Not Alone.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Are Here When You’re Ready.
Healing and support should be accessible to everyone. At New Beginnings, our services are designed to meet the unique needs of each survivor with care and respect. We offer medical and legal advocacy to survivors and have Victim Advocates who will assist in the process.
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What is a SANE exam?
After a sexual assault, the survivor goes through a forensic evidence collection process. SANE-ready nurses will provide a gown for the survivor and take their clothing for evidence. Additionally, swabs of the survivor’s mouth and various parts of their body are collected for evidence. The survivor decides how much of the exam they are willing to participate in. They can do all of the exam or just parts of it. However, it’s important to note that this evidence collection is essential for prosecution.
What to expect, step by step
When a survivor enters the emergency room they will be greeted by the front desk tech to get them entered into the computer system. Survivors do not have to disclose details publicly.
Staff will bring them to a private area. A nurse will assess immediate medical needs and perform a short triage assessment.
An advocate from New Beginnings will be contacted along with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. The SANE will introduce themselves and the survivor will have the choice to have a New Beginnings advocate at bedside.
The SANE will explain all options offered which could include treatment of injuries, a head-to-toe assessment, evidence collection, STD testing, STD prophylaxis, emergency contraception, photographs, collecting clothing, law enforcement involvement and toxicology testing.
The emergency department provides trauma-informed care where the survivor is believed and treated with dignity, they are in control of what happens, consent is obtained, assent is ongoing, and each step is explained prior to being performed.
At discharge the survivor will be provided information regarding New Beginnings services and follow-up care along with safety planning as needed.
Where to go for SANE-ready care
Owensboro Health provides access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE), specially trained nurses who offer expert, trauma informed care and forensic services for survivors of sexual assault at the Emergency Department at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. These nurses are dedicated to supporting patients with compassion and respect, performing forensic exams, carefully documenting history and injuries, collecting evidence, and ensuring each individual receives the medical care and emotional support they need during a difficult time.
New Beginnings Service Area
Counties served: Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, Webster
Office locations: Owensboro, Henderson
Our advocates come to you.
Hotline
During business hours, a staffed New Beginnings advocate answers. After hours, calls route to a partner advocate.
Become a hospital response advocate
We need your help to become a volunteer hospital advocate. Your responsibilities would include meeting a survivor at the hospital to guide them through the process. There are 40 hours of training involved, with the majority of it online so you can train at your own pace. Please consider helping us by serving our community in this much-needed capacity.
Get Involved
Reach Out (link to Contact)