The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc.

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WHAT IS A SANE? A sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) is a registered nurse with advanced training in the forensic examination of sexual assault victims and is credentialed by the Board of Nursing. A SANE conducts the forensic examination, collects and preserves physical evidence, and testifies in legal proceedings. KENTUCKY CREDENTIAL Kentucky is one of few states that has legislated a SANE credential. The credential is issued by the KBN upon completion of the SANE training, including both the classroom portion and clinical requirements, and upon receiving the established application fee from the nurse. To maintain the SANE credential, the SANE must complete 5 hours of continuing education relating to the area of sexual assault each 2-year licensure period. The 5 hours may be included in the 30 hours of CEU's required to maintain the general registered nurse license, and both license periods run concurrently. View Regulations for Credential WHAT IS A SART? A sexual assault response team (SART) is a multidisciplinary team response to victims of sexual assault. The team consists of law enforcement personnel, a SANE nurse, and a sexual assault victim advocate. THE BENEFITS OF SANES AND SARTS SANE and SART programs across the country have been proven to increase reporting and conviction rates in the states where these models have been in place for a number of years. In fact, according to the Allen County Indiana Superior Court Records, convictions for rape have increased from 20% to 60% since the inception of the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center in 1994. Advances in specialized equipment used in the forensic examination have vastly improved visualization of microscopic traces of injury, thereby lessening the prosecution's burden of proving consensual vs. nonconsensual sex. Strict protocol guidelines utilized by the SANEs and SARTs decrease the chances of evidence collection mistakes and lapses in the chain-of-custody which reduces the defense of inadmissible evidence. WHY START A SART IN MY COMMUNITY? Improve evidence collection Increase reporting Increase prosecution rates Reduce cost Reduce retraumatization to victims Organized for and by each community to meet the unique needs of the area THE ROLE OF EACH SART MEMBER Law Enforcement Interview victim/perpetrator Provide safety Apprehend suspect Conduct criminal investigation Builds case for prosecutor Victim Advocate Support the victim (hold hands literally and figuratively) Provide information and referrals SANE Obtain detailed history Head-to-toe assessment Detailed genital exam Collect forensic evidence Document findings Follow-up referrals/education Provide expert court testimony TRAINING AND EDUCATION To become a SANE in Kentucky, a nurse must first attend a Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) approved SANE training course. The course consists of 40 hours of classroom education on topics such as: the role of SANE, victim advocate, and law enforcement; medicolegal exam; Kentucky legal system, etc. Following the classroom course, the nurse then completes 60 hours of clinical practice in the community. The nurse generally has 6-9 months to complete the clinical practice. PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES Developing A Sexual Assault Response Team Kentucky Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Protocol Moving Forward - A Program for Communities Responding to Sexual Assault (Large file, please be patient) LAWS REGARDING SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATIONS Examination Requirements HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? Email SANE@kasap.org

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