Help for Sexual Assault Victims Through SANE Program

Sexual assault victims in Waukesha County have a safe refuge at Waukesha Memorial Hospital

Waukesha Memorial Hospital is the regional hub and the only hospital in Waukesha County to participate in the county's new comprehensive sexual assault program for patients 14 years and older. 

A sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) is on call 24/7 through Waukesha Memorial's Emergency Department. An advocate and a SANE attend to the patients upon her/his arrival in a comfortable, private room. As part of the SANE program, Waukesha Memorial has created a peaceful space within the hospital for adult victims of sexual assault.

A SANE completes 40 hours of special training in forensic evidence collection and preservation through Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault to become sexual assault nurse examiners. As part of their training, the nurses also learned about the physical and mental affects of sexual assaults so they can provide compassionate support while collecting evidence. They are also able to serve as expert witnesses if called to testify at a trial.

The SANE program is made possible by a grant from WomenConnected and the Oconomowoc Memorial Foundation.