Statistics indicate that less than 5% of sexual assault victims require medical treatment. Increasingly, physicians support the use of sexual nurse examiners for the forensic patient when no medical treatment is required. The primary responsibilities of the forensic nurse are to collect evidence, recognizing the criteria for referral an consultation with a physician.

The first sexual assault nurse examiner programs were developed by physicians in the late 1970s as a means to stem the overwhelming workload in hospital emergency departments and to reduce the burden placed on physicians by the courts. At that time, the number of reported rapes had more than doubled in the United States in a 10-year time period. In the ensuing years, this rate has again doubled. However, victimization reports by the National Crime Survey and the National Victim Center's Study (Report to the Nation: Rape in America, 1992) reveal that even the current reported rape represents by a fraction of actual victimizations. Criminologists surmise that the reporting rate has been rising because of greater sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of the sexual assault victim by health professionals, police, prosecutors, victim advocacy organizations, and the women's movement in general. Given the National Victim Center's study and the escalation in reporting, this trend is expected to continue.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are experienced registered nurses specifically educated to meet the needs of the sexual assault survivor as well as provide a valuable resource to physicians, staff nurses, police investigators, and prosecutors. Nationally, sexual assault nurse examiners already use written protocols to provide five essential components of the sexual assault examination:

• Participate in the team interview.
• Perform the physical assessment.
• Collect, package, and document findings.
• Provide education, referral, and treatment.
• Testify in Court

Forensic nurses are also skilled in psychological intervention, a necessary component to stabilize the emotional equilibrium of the victim. Protocols include standing orders for detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, as well as follow-up care. Many are skilled in the use of the colposcope and are increasing the documentation of microtrauma consistent with forced sexual contact.

Forensic nurse sexual examiners provide continuity of quality of care from the health care facility to the court of law.

Taken from: "Forensic Nursing: An Essential Element in Managing Society's Violence an Its Victims" by Virginia A Lynch A.S.T.M. Standardization News. April 1995