Sexual assault is the most rapidly growing crime in the United States, with more than 700,000 women reporting sexual assault each year. In Berrien County alone, more than 450 cases of sexual assault are reported annually. However, sexual assault or rape is the violent crime least often reported to law enforcement, and fewer than 50 percent of all cases are reported, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States, a call to raise public awareness about sexual assault and rape and to educate the community on how to prevent sexual violence.

Both President Barack Obama and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm made the declaration.

National statistics from the Bureau of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that sexual assault affects men, women and children of all ages, from all walks of life.

In February 2009, Lakeland HealthCare launched the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, a new service for victims of sexual assault and abuse in southwest Michigan. Based in the Emergency Departments of the Lakeland hospitals in Niles and St. Joseph, the program provides these patients with comprehensive treatment and support by registered nurses trained to anticipate their medical and emotional needs.

“With SANE, Lakeland gives sexual assault victims in southwest Michigan prompt and compassionate care from medical professionals who understand victimization issues,” said Dr. Paula Coghlan, medical director of Lakeland HealthCare’s SANE program. “Our nurses are trained to identify and document physical trauma and psychological needs, ensure that each patient receives appropriate care by following protocol, and provide necessary referrals to law enforcement and community agencies.”

Lakeland HealthCare’s team of SANE-trained nurses currently treats victims of sexual assault and abuse ages 12 and older, with plans to extend services to pediatric and infant patients. Patients receive care in specially equipped rooms designed to provide comfort and privacy.

Registered nurses who are part of the program undergo extensive medical and legal training, including forensic techniques and evidence collection, documentation and courtroom advocacy.

“By collecting thorough evidence and providing courtroom testimony, SANE nurses help prosecutors obtain convictions in cases of sexual assault and abuse,” said Angela Mann, RN, BSN, SANE-A, coordinator of Lakeland HealthCare’s SANE program. “We are proud to make a difference in the quality of care for victims, and for the entire community.”

To learn more about the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, contact the SANE office at (269) 687-1880 or 866-976-7263 (SANE). For more information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month, visit www.nsvrc.org.