Province is expanding sexual assault support

To the editor:

A sexual assault is a traumatic and devastating experience that can result in physical, mental and emotional injuries.

Sadly, sexual violence continues to occur every day in communities across Nova Scotia. It is important that anyone who has been sexually assaulted knows there is a caring network of support and services available across the province, and that help is always available.

While there has been much discussion about the availability of specialized sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) in communities, any person who has been sexually assaulted can and should receive care at any emergency department in the province. Care may be provided by a physician or sexual assault nurse examiner on site or through referral to another location where SANE is available.

A SANE is a registered nurse who has completed specialized education and clinical preparation to provide care, gather forensic evidence and provide expert testi- mony in court, and offer supportive follow-up after a sexual assault occurs. Services are offered through contracted relationships with community-based organizations.

SANE programs are currently located in Halifax, Dartmouth, Lower Sackville, Antigonish, New Glasgow, Port Hawkesbury-area and Yarmouth, with additional sites to be added in Cape Breton beginning in Sydney this month. Plans are also underway to expand SANE to the Annapolis Valley and South Shore, where it will replace a volunteer-based sexual assault response nursing service currently in place. Expansion of SANE has been supported by Nova Scotia’s Sexual Violence Strategy. We are now looking at how services could be expanded to other areas of the province, including Truro.

Access to SANE services can be coordinated through any emergency department in Nova Scotia, by calling the police or RCMP, or directly through a 24/7 response line. Please visit http://www. nshealth.ca/sane for more information. There are also many community-based supports and services available.

If you or a loved one experiences sexual violence, please do not hesitate to seek help.

Tanya Penney,

Senior Director - Emergency Program of Care

Nova Scotia Health Authority Susan Wilson,

Provincial Coordinator,

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program

Nova Scotia Health Authority