UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Survivors of sexual violence in Pennsylvania will soon benefit from expanded access to sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs). Championed by state Sen. Elder Vogel, Senate Bill 414 has been officially signed into law by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Support for this legislation was unanimous both within the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives.
For the SAFE-T System, a robust telehealth solution providing SANE-led sexual assault care, the prospect of broader SANE access serves as a beacon of change in pursuit of the highest standard of sexual assault care, Vogel said.
The SAFE-T Center at Penn State, formed in 2017 within the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, serves as the research and evaluation component of the SAFE-T System. Over the last decade, SAFE-T researchers have worked to understand the experiences of sexual assault survivors and how best to deliver care that optimizes healing and recovery. This research is central to SAFE-T System’s telehealth model, enabling partner sites to leverage SAFE-T’s expertise and provide the highest standard of care.
“SANEs are essential to have present in our health care facilities to assist sexual assault survivors who require specific treatment and care following an assault,” said Vogel. “SANEs are not only responsible for performing forensic exams, but they also ensure survivors know their rights throughout the process. Additionally, SANEs collect forensic evidence and, if a survivor pursues judicial outcomes, SANEs can provide expert testimony for cases that go to trial. My legislation expands access to these examiners, especially since Pennsylvania hospitals are seeing a critical shortage of them.
"I want to thank those from Penn State’s SAFE-T System for their continued hard work in promoting SANE care and appreciate their support of my bill," Vogel added.
Specifically, the legislation will expand access to SANEs, allow hospitals to establish their own SANE programs and require the Department of Health to publish data on SANE availability by county, while also expanding SAFE-T System’s programmatic offerings.
Launched with support from the Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, SAFE-T System delivers 24/7 support and guidance during live sexual assault forensic examinations. The SAFE-T System model uses telehealth technology to pair a remote SANE, or teleSANE, with an onsite clinician during forensic exams. This pairing enables a patient-centered approach using evidence-based and trauma-informed methodologies to create a safe and supportive environment for the victim. Further, the teleSANE provides support to the onsite clinician during the highly sensitive exam, all while preserving the survivor’s ability to pursue justice.
"This legislation represents a meaningful shift to invest in solutions that ensure every Pennsylvanian harmed by sexual violence has equitable access to compassionate, quality care that will enable them to heal," said Sheridan Miyamoto, SAFE-T System founder and director and associate professor of nursing at Penn State. "Hospitals want to offer expert care. This provides resources for hospitals to invest in innovative training and telehealth solutions, such as SAFE-T System, that support local SANE teams.”
According to the International Association of Forensic Nurses, there are 88 certified SANEs across Pennsylvania, with a disproportionate amount of them providing care in urban or non-rural areas. Of the certified SANEs in the state, only 23 serve rural counties leaving a large portion of the state without access to this important care. Further, this gap in accessibility means rural counties need novel approaches to meet the needs of their patients and communities. Models like SAFE-T System aim to provide the level of care needed in rural parts of the state while also bolstering the current SANE workforce through comprehensive training and continuous education.
SAFE-T System’s solutions don’t end with the forensic exam, through their multidisciplinary approach they also aid in facilitating connections with law enforcement, advocates, and child welfare groups. These locally based networks serve as a foundation of resources for survivors, ensuring their needs are met as they continue along their journey of healing.
To learn more, visit the SAFE-T Systems website.