By Sherry Van Arsdall
South Bend Tribune
NILES, Ind. — Rape or sexual assault is the violent crime least often reported to law enforcement, with fewer than 50 percent of all cases being reported, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
In Berrien County, more than 450 cases of sexual assault are reported annually, Angela Mann, a registered nurse, said.
Starting Monday victims in the county will be able to receive comprehensive service 24 hours a day.
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program will begin at 7 a.m., Mann, who is coordinator of the program, said Wednesday.
It will be based in the emergency departments of Lakeland hospitals in Niles and St. Joseph and specially trained nurses will be available to help victims.
Services include medical forensic exams, crisis intervention, medical treatment, discharge planning, courtroom advocacy and referrals to appropriate agencies.
Amy Knapp is a registered nurse in the emergency room at Lakeland Hospital, Niles, and she’s taken care of victims of sexual assault.
When Lakeland HealthCare decided to launch the SANE program, Knapp didn’t hesitate to apply.
“Once the program gets going, it’s going to be a great program for the community,” Knapp said.
“This program will allow us to focus on the patient and not be rushed to hurry and take care of someone else” because ER nurses take care of five patients while on duty, Knapp said.
When a sexual assault victim goes to the hospital, the ER charge nurse will call the special pager a SANE nurse carries and within an hour, the nurse will be available for the victim, Mann explained.
Patients receive care in specially equipped rooms designed to provide for their comfort and privacy, she said.
The nurses have received 40 hours of specialized medical and legal training.
“During the first year of the program, victims 12 and over will be treated, and services to pediatric and infant patients will be extended within the next couple years,” Mann said.
First responders play a key role in the program and that includes law enforcement, EMS and/or fire personnel, she said.
“We do treat so much more than their injuries.”
“We want to make it the best program in southwest Michigan and to me, the program makes our county safer,” Mann said.
She offered information for helping victims of sexual assault.
“When responding to a victim, reinforce the need to preserve evidence,” Mann said.
“Try not to touch a victim too much, just bring them to us as you find them as quickly as you can. It might be the only way to preserve the only evidence that is on them.”