The efficacy of Illinois' sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) pilot program

A sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) is a registered nurse (R.N.) who has advanced education in conducting medical and forensic examinations of patients who are sexually victimized. SANE programs consist of SANEs as well as other professionals from community agencies that respond to sex crimes such as police departments, state's attorney's officers, and victim service agencies. Together these professionals work to achieve two primary objectives: 1, improve treatment of sexually assaulted victims who are admitted to hospital emergency departments; and 2, improve the quality of evidence collection and presentation to increase successful prosecution outcomes.