There are many clinical facilities that do not have access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) or trained sexual assault examiners to provide expert care to patients across the life span following sexual assault or abuse. As a result, clinicians are often inadequately prepared to address the healthcare and evidentiary needs of this patient population, leading to less effective care being provided to the patient. For some patients, there may be no care provided at all, as they may be turned away.

This training was collaboratively created by a team of national experts from various disciplines and is intended to fill the education gap for all clinicians about sexual assault and the unique needs of this complex patient population. This training was developed using the basic elements of Appendix C of the National Training Standards 2nd ed.

This training provides clinicians with a greater understanding of the needs of patients that have been sexually assaulted or abused while improving the overall care and exam process for these patients. With the guidance conducted within this training, clinicians are more equipped to provide their patients with trauma-informed, patient-centered approach. Affording the clinician an increased level of comfort with caring for this patient population.

Authors:
Angelita Olowu, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P
Kim Day, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P

Course expires 10/1/2026

This product was supported by Grant No. 2018-SI-AX-K002 award from the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. 

Individuals in control of content have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

The International Association of Forensic Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Centers Commission on Accreditation.

This course is made available with the permission of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) for educational and informational purposes only, and ENA does not approve or endorse the course or any individual speakers, recommendations, information, specific methods, approaches, strategies, practices or sources of information discussed or presented during the course.

The information and recommendations discussed or presented during the course reflects current knowledge as of the date the course was released, is only current as of the release date, and is subject to change without notice as advances and new information emerges. Additionally, variations in practice, which take into account the needs of individual patients and the resources and limitations unique to the specific health care setting, may warrant approaches that differ from any recommendations or information shared in the course. Therefore, the information or recommendations presented in the course should not be interpreted as an exclusive course of management or practice, nor does the use of such recommendations or information guarantee a particular outcome. ENA assumes no liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to the use of the information presented in the course or the implementation of any of the strategies, techniques or practices presented in the course.