For several years, Georgia Southern University English professor Linda Paige and health center nurse Eldonna Hilde, MSN, RNC, WHNP, have been struggling to establish a rape crisis center in Statesboro.
"I never thought I'd find myself as chair of the Bulloch County Sexual Assualt Task Force, but there is such a need for a support system here," Paige said. "So many rapes go unreported. Victims don't get help and thus, the crime doesn't get prosecuted."
The fledgling program has been operating with a hotline (912-531-1771) with cellphones manned by trained advocates.
"Our ultimate goal is to have a wellpublicized rape crisis center, to work closely with the local hospitals and law enforcement agencies, to be able to afford more equipment, and have a fund available for counseling victims and emergency room bills," Paige said.
At the moment, their dreams exceed their budget and they've recently lost United Way funding, but Paige is encouraged by several pieces of news.
The Georgia Legislature has made it necessary for each county to have a sexual assault protocol in place. Residents now have two sexual assault nurse examiners on call in Bulloch County and more are on the way.
The Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault will offer its SANE training in Statesboro June 6-10. "That should really start the ball rolling," Paige said.
GNESA, a nonprofit coalition of sexual assault agencies, offers SANE training three times a year around the state.
"A SANE-trained nurse collects forensic evidence after someone has been sexually assaulted, documents the injuries, does followup care and referrals for counseling and other services," said Debbie Hatmaker, Ph.D., RN, SANE-A, and chief programs officer for the Georgia Nurses Association. "They work with law enforcement and may be called to court to testify as an expert witness."
Hatmaker teaches the nursing component of the 40-hour classroom training program for GNESA. After the class, sexual assault nurse examiners are required to put in 40 hours of training in their communities, working with hospitals, rape crisis centers, advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies. They can earn certification through the International Association of Forensic Nurses (www.iafn.org).
Sexual assault nurse examiners are usually hired by rape crisis centers or hospitals.
'Not an easy job'
"It's not an easy job, but the sensitivity and skills that a SANE brings to a rape victim are invaluable," said Willa Boswell, GNESA SANE/volunteer coordinator. "They know what they are doing and don't want to put the victim through any more pain than necessary."
"Being able to deal with one trained examiner who knows exactly what needs to be done is a much better experience than a long wait in an emergency room," Hatmaker said.
SANE training requires nurses to have two years of work experience because they need to be confident in their clinical and decision-making skills. A combination of nursing and law, the job requires someone interested in forensics, with a desire to help victims of sexual assault.
"SANEs are paid for their services, but for a nurse it's usually extra hours, calls in the middle of the night, rearranging schedules to go to court 18 months later. You really have to view it as community service," Hatmaker said. Hatmaker describes the job as challenging but rewarding.
"These are often difficult patients who have been through a lot of trauma," she said. "There's injury and humiliation. Victims may be caught up in drugs and alcohol. We see young teens who don't come from the best circumstances and aren't capable of making good decisions. Some cases can be very frustrating.
"But it's also really satisfying to know that you're able to make a difference for someone needing medical and legal assistance, to know that you're giving care."
About 250 nurses have gone through the SANE training program since 2003, but more nurse examiners are needed. "Our rape crisis and sexual assault centers extend services to about 100 of Georgia's 159 counties. We are always recruiting new nurses," Boswell said.
For information on SANE training, call 404-815-5261 or visit www.gnesa.com.