What if you didn't want sex?

Sexual assault is unwanted sexual contact of any kind. This includes situations where force, violence, or weapons are used as well as situations where the victim is too intoxicated or scared to give consent.

You are not alone!

Every two minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. About 44% of rape victims are under age 18, and 80% are under age 30.

What are Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE)?

SANEs are RNs who have embraced the challenge to be technically skilled evidence collectors and who display sensitivity and acknowledge the patient's dignity during every step of the examination.

The SANE response may include a head-to-toe physical assessment (referrals will be made for serious injuries), a urine test for pregnancy, medications for emergency contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (limited exam), documentation of injuries including photographs and collection of forensic evidence (full exam).

The SANE needs informed consent from the sexual assault patient. The patient must be able to understand, agree to, and sign for each part of the exam. The only exceptions to this are in the case of child abuse, mentally challenged patients, or elder abuse.

SANE nurses are on-call. They are not physically on-site. To dispatch a SANE nurse, call the SANE cell phone 575-430-9485, the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center (GCRMC) Emergency Department 575-443-7901 in Alamogordo New Mexico, or a member of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART): Victim Advocate on call emergency line 575-430-4433, 24-Hour Rape Crisis Line 575-437-7404, Holloman SARC 24 hour line 575-572-6789.

An immediate sexual assault exam should be done within 5 days of the assault for a 13 year old and older, or within 3 days of the assault for a 12 year old or younger. Generally, the sooner the exam is done, the better.

An adult sexual assault patient does not need to file a police report to receive SANE services.

  • SANE begins the healing process
    Non-judgemental
    Safety
    Honesty
    Establish trusting relationship
    Provide comfort measures
    Referrals - Counseling/Medical/Advocacy
    Empowering the victim through education

News & events

  • Click on the links below for more information about these events.

     

    Take Back the Night

    An annual sexual assault awareness event.

  • The Vagina Monologues

    The award winning performance by Eve Ensler is a second major violence against women event.

SNMWA Mission Statement

To provide accessible, specialized wellness services to victims of interpersonal violence and vulnerable populations; and to eliminate health-related disparities in underserved communities through community collaboration, and other charitable purposes.

Contact Us. We Can Help!

Southern New Mexico Wellness Alliance
2669 N. Scenic
Alamogordo, NM 88310
Telephone: (575) 430-9485
E-mail Us