Seeking help as a survivor of sexual assault can be a difficult experience.
Finding care that addresses a patient’s individual needs without contributing to the stigma surrounding sexual assault is a difficult process.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are trying to improve that.
A bill passed in the Senate aims to give survivors easier access to treatment by expanding SANE programs, or sexual assault nurse examiners.
The law, titled “The Sexual Assault Emergency Services Act,” passed the Senate unanimously.
The act will fund hospitals that want to establish SANE programs that give survivors more opportunities to seek patient-centered care.
Under the SANE program, registered nurses must have additional training to meet the guidelines set by the International Association of Forensic Nurses. The guidelines include an overview of forensic nursing, crisis intervention, specimen collection, legal considerations, and court procedures for cases involving both adults and juveniles.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. J. Vogel Jr, R-Beaver, said the bill is necessary for the welfare of the survivor.
“Research has shown that person-centered, trauma-informed care provided by SANE results in improved psychological well-being for survivors of sexual assault, better quality of medical care, and positive impacts on court outcomes related to survivors of sexual assault,” Vogel said.
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center says 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. With SANEs and patient-centered care, survivors may be more inclined to report their assault, said Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Reading.
Schwank noted that under the new legislation, people in rural communities would still be able to access a high level of care through telehealth.
“At every step of the process, nurses work with people who have been sexually assaulted to explain exactly what they are doing in terms of medical examination, injury documentation, evidence collection, infection prevention or treatment, and referrals to resources communities. and follow care for a holistic approach,” Schwank said.
The bill will now go to the chamber for a vote.
