SAFE nurses at Maine hospital provide specialized care for sexual assault survivors
More than half of women and nearly one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the state of Maine each year, more than 19,000 people will experience sexual violence, according to a 2022 report.
The emergency department at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, Maine, has Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) nurses ready to care for any person who has been sexually assaulted. SAFE nurses have received specialized training and clinical preparation to provide trauma-informed care for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child or dependent adult abuse or neglect. These nurses perform a comprehensive medical examination and provide treatment for injuries and sexually transmitted infections, and if requested, can document injuries and collect evidence that can be used later in a trial.
The medical screening is confidential, and adults can receive this specialized care with or without reporting the sexual assault to police — or they may choose to file a police report at a later date. If requested and needed, a SAFE nurse can act as a factual or expert witness in court.
All the services provided by SAFE nurses are patient driven, and “everything is a personal choice,” emphasizes the hospital team. “We realize you have just been through a traumatic experience. We are here to care for you and do what is best for each individual.”