Someone in the United States is sexually assaulted every two minutes and more than half of those assaults are never reported. In support of national efforts to raise awareness about sexual violence, April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).
Locally, there are several events taking place throughout the month including Teal Tuesdays and culminating with the third annual Take Back the Night program at the College of the Atlantic.
In addition to local programs, Mount Desert Island Hospital has several clinical team members who have specialized training and/or certification to help victims of assault. “We feel strongly about the importance of providing local access to a coordinated, victim-centered response that emphasizes confidentiality and compassion,” said Vicky Eaton, RN, one of MDI Hospital’s SAFE-certified team members who is also involved in local awareness events.
Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs) are trained to perform medical forensic exams, minimize a patient’s waiting period to receive care and collect evidence in a manner that meets state standards. “We are also trained to provide compassionate care in an effort to reduce the trauma of sexual assault,” Eaton said.
Throughout the state, SAFEs are part of regional networks of sexual assault responders known as Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART). SART-team member include local law enforcement, SAFEs, district attorneys and sexual assault advocates.
At MDI Hospital, family nurse practitioner Angie DelVecchio, FNP, and emergency room nurse Vicki Eaton, RN, are SAFE-certified. MDI Hospital team members, Linda Robinson, CNM, Velynda Wiley, RN, have also participated in SAFE or similar training programs and serve as additional resources when called upon.
“To be SAFE-certified requires a significant and ongoing commitment of time,” said Christina Costello, MDI Hospital’s emergency department director. SAFE team members take part in education programs four times a year in various clinical and non-clinical aspects of assisting victims of sexual assault ranging from evidence preservation to witness training.
SAFE-trained team members are on-call during their non-working hours to assist victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to their expertise with patients, SAFE nurses are considered expert witnesses in court proceedings related to the assault and can be called to testify on behalf of the victim.
For more information about local and national SAAM events, visit downeasthealth.org.
TEAL TUESDAY’S–Show your support for victims of sexual assault by wearing the color Teal on Tuesday’s. Drop by Downeast Health’s office on the Christian Ridge Road if you’d like a teal ribbons.
APRIL 24 — Take Back the Night Speak Out and Walk, awareness walk and intervention training starting at7 pm in Deering Hall at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor. All are welcome. Call Jodi 667-5304 ext. 227 for more information.
APRIL 24 — International Denim Day. Show your support for sexual assault survivors by wearing jeans.