LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) is concluding Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April by honoring its partnership with forensic nurses and bringing attention to its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program.
KPD is unique in that it has a more victim-centered approach to sexual assault and rape cases because of its SANE program. The program provides a number of ways for a survivor to feel safer, including allowing them to be treated in a private exam room at KPD’s Lihu‘e Headquarters. This gives the patient not only the ability to be directly in touch with the detectives and nurses who work as a specially-trained team for these incidents, it provides victims with the kind of privacy and confidentiality that they might not otherwise receive in a hospital setting.
When a victim contacts KPD to report a crime, either by calling 911 or dispatch at 241-1711, KPD’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is activated immediately, allowing law enforcement and nurses to work closely together in order to provide the best possible care for the patient.
“I’ve had people say that the nurse examiners shouldn’t be housed in the same agency as law enforcement, but I can tell you that this has never been an issue for my patients,” said Jennifer Antony, one of KPD’s SANE nurses. “They feel safe, and knowing their detective is close by to ask questions to, is comforting to the patient. Our detectives receive specialty training and have the communication skills and integrity needed to help create an atmosphere allowing the patient to feel safe and in control of their care.”
KPD has three SANE forensic nurses to serve the community – Antony, Charlene Ono and Stephanie Huhn – as well as Ceisha Judd, who is currently in training.
Forensic nurses are also registered nurses and must complete more than 200 hours of training to become part the SANE program. They are the dedicated nurses who provide exceptional care to patients impacted by violence, abuse and trauma.
Forensic nurses work to increase victim-centered care and mitigate violence through public health strategies with both offender and victim. Forensic nurses are highly educated professionals that continue to meet the increasingly complex forensic and healthcare needs of individuals, families, communities, populations and systems worldwide.
Forensic nurses also provide consultation and testimony for civil and criminal proceedings.
Victims are encouraged to call 911 to report a sexual assault crime so that the SART system and SANE program is activated right away.
“We know that these crimes create immense trauma for the victims and our team does everything that we can to help them safely recover and receive the justice and support they deserve,” said Antony.
