UnityPoint Health - Trinity Rock Island - Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program
Information
Number of patients waiting reflects the current number of patients waiting to be seen. This number changes frequently and is not exact.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners program, or SANE, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity strives to help survivors of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence begin the healing process. Since 2005, the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program has provided care to survivors of all ages, genders, races and populations.
Hours & Directions
Hours of Operation
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Expert Staff
The SANE Program is staffed by registered nurses who have advanced education and instruction in medical-forensic examination and in psychological and emotional trauma and culturally sensitive care. SANE nurses coordinate with and support survivor response services through regular meetings with all disciplines (medical, advocacy, legal, etc.) as part of the regional Sexual Assault Response Teams. SANE nurses are available to speak to groups and organizations and may also provide testimony in a court of law.
A referral is not needed to be seen by a SANE nurse.
Care Provided
We recognize this is a frightening, traumatic time for survivors. Our SANE nurses will provide a safe, trauma informed exam and empower the patient to determine their plan of care, including:
- Emotional support
- Physical examination and wellness check
- Collection of medical-forensic evidence
- Assistance with reporting the crime to police, when requested (mandatory reporting for children)
- Assistance with concerns about sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy
- Assistance with safety planning
- Development of a medical follow-up plan
Follow-Up Care
After the exam, a nurse will call the patient to discuss any lab test results and may refer the patient to professionals who can provide additional services including:
- Healthcare providers for follow-up medical care. With a patient’s consent, lab and exam results can be shared with your primary care provider.
- Community partner organizations for assistance with crisis intervention, advocacy and counseling. Partner agencies include The Project of the Quad Cities, Rock Island and Scott County Health Departments, Child Advocacy Center, Family Resources, The Center for Youth and Family Solutions and more.
Resources & FAQ
Resources
- Alternatives
- Adult Protective Services
- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
- Children 0-17 years old
- Illinois Department of Aging
- Adult Protective Services
- Iowa Health and Human Services
- Child or Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting
- Illinois Attorney General
- Iowa Attorney General
- Iowa Legal Aid
- Legal Assistance Referrals (Prairie State Legal Services, LLC)
- Rock Island County Sheriff
- Rock Island County State’s Attorney
- Scott County Sheriff
- Robert Young Mental Health Center (Illinois)
- Vera French Community Mental Health Center (Iowa)
- The Center for Youth and Family Solutions (Illinois)
- Clock, Inc (Illinois)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
**Children are ONLY referred for a Forensic Interview by Law Enforcement or DCFS IL or DHS IA.**
Illinois
You need your SAEC Kit K-# and the passcode you were given by the staff member collection the evidence. If that is lost, contact Family Resources for assistance in obtaining a new passcode.
Iowa
You need your survivor card and login information to set up account. There is information on the site for what to do if you need assistance.
FAQ | Sexual Assualt
Sexual assault can take many different forms, but one thing remains the same: it’s never the survivor’s fault. The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include:
- Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
- Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts or penetrate the perpetrator’s body
- Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape
Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent should be clearly and freely communicated. A verbal and affirmative expression of consent can help both you and your partner to understand and respect each other’s boundaries.
Consent cannot be given by individuals who are underage, intoxicated or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious. If someone agrees to an activity under pressure of intimidation or threat, that isn’t considered consent because it was not given freely. Unequal power dynamics, such as engaging in sexual activity with an employee or student, also mean that consent cannot be freely given.
Additional information about consent: https://www.rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent
A person of any age can consent to or decline a medical forensic exam and evidence collection. A parent or guardian cannot override the patient’s decision. If you consent to the exam, the provider will still ask you if it is okay to proceed with each step of the exam. You can stop the exam at any time or skip any part of the exam. You are in control of what happens.
If the patient cannot provide consent due to age or mental status, a parent or guardian may provide consent. The provider can also provide services under the Consent by Minors to Health Care Services Act, the Health Care Surrogate Act, or other state and federal laws. If a parent or guardian consents to a medical forensic exam and evidence collection for a child or other person, the provider will still seek the patient’s permission to perform each part of the exam. An exam will not be forced upon a patient and a patient will never be physically held down or medicated in order for an exam to be completed.
No. The SANE nurse will not contact anyone without your permission. The exceptions to this are the mandated reporter guidelines. Patients under 18 years old, differently abled and/or dependent adults and individuals residing in a care facility, who present with sexual assault, are mandated by law to be reported to the appropriate Child/Adult Protective Services Agencies.
Yes. It is your decision if you want to tell the name of your assailant.
Yes. Many patients have a limited memory or no memory of the assault. Alcohol and other drugs can make it difficult to recall the details. You will receive care even if you cannot remember the details. There are also additional assessments the SANE nurse can provide for Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault.
- Present to any UnityPoint –Trinity Emergency Department
- Family Resources 24-hour Crisis Line
- Illinois: 309-797-1777
- Iowa: 866-921-3354