August 1, 2006
HEALEY HAILS PASSAGE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAM
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today announced the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, which helps victims of sexual assault receive medical services, has been written into law. The SANE nurses, specially trained to deal with the emotional and physical state of victims, collect evidence that may be used to prosecute the assailant.
The legislation signed by the Governor today formalizes and makes permanent the Commonwealth’s effort to help victims of sexual assault by codifying the program into law.
“While we do everything in our power to protect victims from rape, establishing a permanent program gives victims access to specially trained nurses that help them cope with trauma both in the hospital room and the court room,” said Healey, who serves as Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence.
Trained by the Department of Public Health, sexual assault nurse examiners coordinate the reporting of assaults to law enforcement officials and provide treatment from exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and potential pregnancy.
District attorneys say they are able to win a high percentage of sexual assault convictions when a sexual assault nurse examiner has collected evidence and testifies in court.
“Nearly 100 percent of assault cases in which a SANE is involved results in the conviction of the perpetrator,” said Representative Peter Koutoujian, a former Assistant Middlesex District Attorney. “We can use this legislation to help comfort sexual assault victims as much as possible and ensure them that we are doing everything we can to bring individuals who commit sexual assault to justice.”
Healey also established the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program for children under 12 to help young victims of sexual and physical abuse. A Pediatric SANE treats young victims at child advocacy centers which create a secure environment where children can receive treatment and counseling. The nurse provides comprehensive services using a specially designed evidence collection kit for children.
The nationally recognized, state-of-the-art sexual assault evidence collection kit is provided to hospitals free of charge by the Executive Office of Public Safety.
“Massachusetts is as a national model in helping the most vulnerable victims of these horrific crimes receive the proper medical treatment to put sexual predators behind bars,” said Healey.
“Signing this measure into law is an important advancement in the work to assist victims and bring pedophiles to justice. However, the victory is bittersweet because it is in anticipation of the horrific fact that a significant number of children in the Commonwealth will experience the trauma of sexual abuse,” said Marylou Sudders, President and CEO, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. “Ultimately, our goal is to change this reality but until we do there is some comfort in knowing that, through SANE, victims will receive the quality, expert care they deserve.”
The SANE program is supported by many organizations and agencies including the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Jane Doe Inc. and the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association.
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