LOUISVILLE - KY, November 9, 2006 - Louisville's first community-based sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) clinic opened today at The Center for Women and Families. The Louisville SANE Clinic is fueled by a collaborative including The Center for Women and Families, University Hospital, Louisville Metro, and agencies comprising the Louisville Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
"The SANE Clinic will serve as a critical lifeline for victims of sexual assault, providing them not only medical care, but also compassion, dignity, honor and confidence," said Mayor Jerry Abramson. "I congratulate The Center for Women and Families and all of the partners in the medical, law enforcement, justice and human services fields who have worked together to make this clinic a reality."
The clinic provides immediate, confidential, no-cost services for sexual assault victims. There will be no waiting in a hospital waiting room, and the services are provided by a trained registered nurse who has completed specialized training in the care and treatment of sexual assault victims. The clinic's location in the heart of The Center for Women and Families' downtown campus will connect primary and secondary victims, such as parents and partners, to supportive counseling and advocacy services.
"This clinic represents a tremendous opportunity for community partnership in support of victims of sexual assault," said Dr. Bill Smock, the clinic's lead advisor and Louisville Metro Police Department Professor with University Hospital Division of Protective Medicine.
After working years in the Emergency Department, Dr. Smock developed the idea for SANE nurses and the SANE clinic. Dr. Smock felt it was unacceptable for rape victims to wait up to 8-10 hours, behind other traumas, before an Emergency Room doctor could see them. The SANE clinic offers the victims the speed, privacy and supportive services they need.
Denise Vazquez Troutman, president/CEO of The Center for Women and Families, anticipates a similar increase in counseling and therapy services. "Our staff and volunteers are prepared to meet the demand. This is an important community initiative that honors a victim's journey toward becoming a survivor."
Kentucky is one of few states that has legislated a SANE credential, which is issued by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Through continued SANE awareness and training, project partners plan for the clinic to reach full staff capacity to provide 24-hour response in the coming months.
One in six women and one in 33 men will be the victim of sexual assault. Every two and a half minutes someone is raped in America. An estimated 40 percent of all rapes are never reported.
University Hospital is part of UofL Health Care, the region’s leading academic, research, and teaching medical center. Our patients benefit from the latest medical advances, often long before they become available in non-teaching settings.
The Center for Women and Families engages individuals and community in the elimination of domestic violence, sexual violence and economic hardship through service, education and advocacy.