Finally, Polk County has its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program up and running. Why is it important?

First, there is a long history of women who have been sexually assaulted choosing to do nothing following the attack. One reason for this is that most rapes are “date rapes.” According to the National Crime Victimization survey, 76 percent of sexually assaulted women were attacked by a current or former husband, partner, friend or date. The perpetrator frequently threatens the survivor with further harm should she report the crime. Women need to feel safe to report the assault. Sexual assault is vastly underreported.

Second, women who do seek help often are subjected to intrusive questioning about why they were at a certain place at a certain time. The recent case in New York City in which a graduate student was brutally raped, mutilated, strangled and dumped in a public place has brought out unbelievable opinions from some that she deserved what she got because she was at a bar at 4:30 in the morning and was unaccompanied. Sexual assault survivors have been lectured, berated for their apparel and given sermons about their behavior. Where are the patient advocates needed to help these people?

Third, there is minimal education and training in medical schools about how to respectfully collect forensic evidence that will help convict perpetrators of sexual assault. It is not uncommon for physicians and nurses to literally read the forensic kit directions as they try to collect evidence. It is also a very time-consuming process that has traditionally taken place in hospital emergency departments. Women often sit for hours in waiting rooms before they can be seen. Many will leave out of frustration and evidence will be destroyed. Where is the necessary training and education?

The Polk County Board of Supervisors has committed to this program in Polk County. In the fall of 2005, the county teamed with the University of Iowa and Grand View College to provide training and certification for a cadre of nurses to conduct investigations. There are now enough such nurses to cover the needs of Polk County. As more people hear of the program, it is hoped that more sexual assaults will be reported and evidence collected.

Here is how it works. Each hospital in Polk County has committed examination space at its facility. Nurses in the SANE program carry beepers so the minute they are contacted they can proceed to the hospital where the survivor has gone. At the hospital, they talk with the survivor, and proceed with an examination if the survivor consents.

Once the evidence is collected, the kits are stored and used later in court when the perpetrator is brought to trial. Nurses will testify about the evidence in court.

Polk County citizens should thank Dr. Linda Railsback for supporting and advocating for the SANE program. For many years and many hours, she alone sensitively and skillfully examined and collected forensic evidence on women who were sexually assaulted. If you know a sexual assault nurse examiner, thank her. Unfortunately, someday your sister, mother or daughter may need a compassionate, skilled professional to help.

Jean Logan is a registered nurse, a professor at Grand View College and a member of the Broadlawns Medical Center board of trustees.