North Carolina has anonymous sexual assault kits available for survivors. Lauren Schwartz of The Solace Center at InterAct in Raleigh explains their purpose and how to get one.
Editor’s note: This article is part 1 of a two-part investigative series from Carolina Public Press. After a sexual assault, survivors have choices to make
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Materials for conducting a sexual assault examination are prepared for the next rape survivor at the Solace Center in Raleigh.
Editor’s note: This article is Part 2 of a two-part investigative series.
For years, if sexual assault survivors in Cumberland County sought care, they could count on going to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, where the hospital’s highly trained and certified sexual assault nurse examiners would provide treatment and gather the forensic evidence needed for law enforcement to build a criminal case against their attacker.
About a year ago, advocates for sexual assault survivors noticed a staffing change, said Deanne Gerdes, executive director of Rape Crisis of Cumberland County.
BPR s Matt Bush speaks with Carolina Public Press lead investigative reporter Kate Martin.
Editor’s note: This article is Part 2 of a two-part investigative series. Part one can be read here.
For years, if sexual assault survivors in Cumberland County sought care, they could count on going to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, where the hospital’s highly trained and certified sexual assault nurse examiners would provide treatment and gather the forensic evidence needed for law enforcement to build a criminal case against their attacker.
About a year ago, advocates for sexual assault survivors noticed a staffing change, said Deanne Gerdes, executive director of Rape Crisis of Cumberland County.
Alicia Carter / Carolina Public Press
Editor’s note: This article is part 1 of a two-part investigative series from Carolina Public Press.
After a sexual assault, survivors have choices to make.
Do they seek help at a hospital? If they do, they might be in for a wait.
If they are lucky, they’ve arrived at a hospital with nurses who are trained to help sexual assault victims. Called sexual assault nurse examiners, or SANE nurses, these specialized medical professionals train for months to understand how to help a victim take care of her or his health after a traumatic experience.