SANE Programs

YWCA Enid is dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and strangulation. Hope Starts Here

SANE Exams↘

You are not to blame! No one ever "deserves" to be assaulted.

YWCA Enid offers FREE comprehensive health exams to any victim of Rape, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, or Strangulation. Victims should get medical attention as soon as possible for several reasons including injury assessment and treatment, preventative medication, collecting/documenting physical evidence, referrals, and discussing your options. Even if the survivor chooses not to report the incident, being seen by a SANE nurse is of utmost importance. Your health and safety matter.

A sexual assault forensic exam, also known as a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam or a rape kit exam, is a medical examination performed by specially trained healthcare professionals. Obtaining a SANE exam is essential from both a medical and legal perspective. During the exam, the SANE nurse or examiner collects samples such as DNA, hair, bodily fluids, and clothing fibers from the survivor's body, as well as documenting any injuries or other physical evidence of the assault. The collected evidence can be crucial in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Additionally, the exam may include providing medical care, assessing and treating injuries, and addressing concerns about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy. The survivor can choose which parts of the exam they wish to undergo, and they have the right to refuse any part of the process. Adult survivors also choose if they want to file a report. The exam is conducted in a sensitive and supportive manner, prioritizing the survivor's physical and emotional well-being. Additionally, the exam offers a connection to essential post-event YWCA Enid’s Programs while also promoting the survivor's recovery.

Types of SANE exams are available at YWCA Enid

Sexual Assault & Rape

SANE exams are not limited to cases involving penetration during an assault; they are conducted in various sexual assault situations. A SANE exam is essential for medical treatment and preserving critical forensic evidence that may be used in criminal investigations and prosecutions. It helps to establish the occurrence of sexual assault, identify perpetrators, and support survivors in seeking justice.

Domestic Violence

All injuries, even minor, should be documented with photos and an injury log, even if you are not reporting to Law Enforcement. A SANE exam offers a thorough head-to-toe examination, including photographic documentation of injuries, which can be critical for future legal proceedings or simply for your own well-being.

Strangulation

Strangulations can be extremely dangerous, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. It's important to recognize that even if you feel fine after a strangulation incident, there may be internal injuries that aren't visible to the naked eye. We strongly advise all strangulation survivors to seek immediate medical care to ensure their safety and well-being.

Donations↘

When survivors come in for a SANE exam, they're often confronted with the difficult decision of whether to part with their clothing as part of the evidence collection process. Recognizing the importance of preserving their dignity and autonomy, we provide survivors with the option of replacing their clothing with new items from our inventory. These items include everything from undergarments to slippers, ensuring that survivors can leave our facility feeling physically comfortable and emotionally supported.

If you'd like to support this vital aspect of our program, we gratefully accept donations of new clothing items. Your generosity allows us to continue offering this essential service to survivors in need. Please consider donating new clothing to help ensure that survivors have access to the comfort and support they deserve during their time with us. Your contributions make a meaningful difference in the lives of survivors of sexual assault. Thank you for your support.

FAQs

  • During a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam, also known as a rape kit exam, the trained healthcare provider follows a standardized protocol to collect evidence and provide medical care to the survivor. Here's a step-by-step overview of what typically happens during a SANE exam: The survivor has the right to refuse any part of the exam or to stop the process at any time. The examiner respects the survivor's autonomy and choices throughout the examination.

    -Introduction and Consent: The SANE nurse introduces themselves and the SARA (Sexual Assault Response Advocate) advocate to the survivor and explains the purpose of the exam. They obtain informed consent from the survivor before proceeding with any part of the examination.

    -Medical History and Documentation: The SANE/SARA will asks the survivor about their medical history, any medications they are taking, and details about the assault. This information is documented to provide context for the examination and any potential medical treatment.

    -Physical Examination: The examiner conducts a thorough physical examination, which may include assessing for injuries, collecting samples of bodily fluids, and documenting any physical evidence of the assault.

    -Evidence Collection: The examiner collects forensic evidence from the survivor's body, such as DNA samples, hair samples, swabs from relevant areas, and clothing fibers. They follow strict protocols to preserve the integrity of the evidence.

    -Documentation: Throughout the exam, the examiner carefully documents their observations, findings, and the procedures performed. Detailed documentation is crucial for legal purposes and may be used as evidence in criminal investigations.

    -Medical Care: In addition to evidence collection, the examiner provides medical care tailored to the survivor's needs. This may include treatment for injuries, testing and preventative treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), emergency contraception, and referrals for follow-up care.

    -Support and Resources: Throughout the exam, the SANE/SARA provides emotional support and information about available resources and support services for survivors, such as YWCA Enid’s programs: counseling, advocacy, and legal assistance.

    -Closure and Follow-up: After the exam, the survivor is provided with information about what to expect next, including follow-up medical care, accessing support services, and reporting options.

    -Reporting: The survivor can decide to report, no report, or send evidence anonymously.

    Overall, the SANE exam is conducted in a sensitive, nonjudgmental, and trauma-informed manner, prioritizing the survivor's physical and emotional well-being while collecting crucial forensic evidence for potential legal proceedings.

  • If you have been sexually assaulted, try to avoid doing any of the following before seeking help:

    - Taking a bath or shower

    - Using the toilet

    - Changing clothes

    - Combing your hair

    - Cleaning up the area where you were assaulted

    - Eating or Drinking

    It is normal to want to wash away the experience. However, it’s important to recognize that doing so may reduce or compromise evidence. Having done any of these things does not mean a SANE exam can’t be performed. It may just collect less evidence.

    If you have to change your clothes before seeking care, put them and any other items you had on you in a paper bag in order to protect any evidence on them. If you still have the same cloths on, you can bring a change of clothes with you for after the exam.

    Ideally, a SANE exam would be performed within 5 days of the assault. However, if it is been longer than that, you can still request an exam.

  • No. Adults do not have to report, or even know if they want to report to have a SANE exam. Evidence can still be collected if they decide later on they would like to report.

  • The medical professional will turn the Sexual Assault Kit over to the law enforcement agency. The law enforcement agency will submit the kit to a forensic laboratory if testing is required.

    OSBI Frequently Asked Questions - Sexual Assault Kit Tracking

  • Anyone 16 and older can receive a SANE exam at YWCA Enid.

  • The Care Campus is one of our partner agencies who’s services are for children 16 and under.

    To report child abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect call 1-800-522-3511

  • SANE: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a Registered Nurse who has received special training so that s/he can provide comprehensive care to sexual assault victims. In addition s/he is able to conduct a forensic exam and may provide expert testimony if a case goes to trial.

    SARA: Sexual Assault Response Advocate (SARA) is a YWCA volunteer advocate that assist victims after a sexual assault or rape to provide emotional support and a listening ear to survivors, offer information on resources and support available, and contribute to a safer, more empathetic community.

    OSBI: Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

    Sexual Assault Kits: a collection of swabs, envelopes, and instructions used to gather and preserve physical evidence from a person’s body following a report of a sexual assault. This evidence is collected by a medical professional that has been specially trained to identify, collect, and document the forensic evidence that might be found on the person’s body.