ThedaCare SANE Program Helps the Community
Nationally, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. Sexual assault crimes plague the nation and affect not just individuals, but entire communities.
“At ThedaCare we recognize anyone is vulnerable to sexual violence, domestic violence and abuse,” said Meghan Van Heertum RN, BSN, SANE-A, program coordinator for the ThedaCare Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (or SANE) program, which is based at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. “We assist survivors of violence continue their healing process by providing medical care and emotional support. We also develop a safety plan to ensure our patients’ can connect with the right resources after the exam.”
Van Heertum said it has been a defining year for sexual assault awareness, largely due to the #MeToo movement, which many people consider to be a watershed cultural moment for those impacted by sexual assault, domestic abuse and child abuse. Last fall, actress Alyssa Milano asked women who had been sexually assaulted or harassed to post “Me Too” in response to allegations made against a famous celebrity. The impact continues today.
“From October 2016 through January 2017 compared with October 2017 through January 2018, the number of people reaching out to the ThedaCare SANE program more than doubled,” said Van Heertum. “The numbers are up 75 percent in 2017 compared to 2016. There has been a significant increase in the 15 to 25 age group since October 2017. This is in line with other community agencies who assist victims of sexual/domestic violence. Our partnering agencies have relayed to me that they have seen similar increases in requests for services.”
The SANE program includes registered nurses who have received advanced training in medical forensic examination, as well as psychological and emotional trauma. The SANE nurse works in conjunction with law enforcement, advocacy and legal services as needed, to ensure that each person can receive his or her own plan of care. “The patient is given complete control of what the exam will include, including notification of law enforcement,” said Van Heertum.
ThedaCare expanded its SANE program last year to create a place of safety for victims of violence. The SANE suite is at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. The program provides expert, trauma-informed, compassionate care to victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse or child abuse, while at the same time improves the quality of evidence collection for law enforcement.
“The program is also available for people who experienced assaults or abuse in the past,” said Van Heertum. “Survivors of these experiences are usually traumatized and it may take them time to seek help. Having quality, expert medical care is vital to a patient’s safety and health, both physically and mentally. Care is available to anyone in our area who requests it. We also see people outside our immediate area as well. If you need care, or know someone who is seeking care, contact us at 920.738.6300.”
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,700 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 31 clinics in nine counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton opened in February. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
