LAKEWOOD, NJ - Sexual assault is a
devastating and life-altering event for victims and their
families. Recognizing the delicate nature of sexual assault,
more than ten years ago, New Jersey legislation was enacted
requiring counties to utilize specially trained and certified
registered nurses during emergency medical examinations. As
a direct result of that legislation, a statewide Sexual Assault
Nurse Examiner (SANE) program was established.
At Kimball Medical Center, SANE nurses from the Ocean County
Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) come to assist and assess
patients who are victims of sexual assault in the emergency
room. SART is county-funded and involves a multidisciplinary
approach that typically includes SANE nurses, law enforcement
officers, and activist/counselors.
Often times, following a physical examination in a hospital
emergency department, victims of sexual assault are asked
to leave their clothing as evidence to be analyzed by law
enforcement officials. Rather than discharge victims
home - most of whom are female - wearing a simple hospital
gown, SANE nurses have been restoring the dignity of sexual
assault victims by providing them with an alternative clothing
option once they are ready to leave the hospital.
The Kimball Medical Center Auxiliary raises funds to supplement
the purchase of clothing and shoes for patients who have
suffered a sexual assault. Once the items are purchased,
they are supplied to the SANE nurses in Kimball's Emergency
Department for distribution to the victims of sexual assault,
so that they have comfortable clothing to wear when they
leave the hospital.
"Victims of sexual assault are often dealing with a myriad
of feelings and emotions in addition to the physical harm
that has been done to them. We've seen that a gesture
as seemingly small as offering a sweat suit for them to wear
home really makes a big difference," said Marie Paskewich,
Director, Patient Care Services in the Emergency Department
at Kimball.
“The Kimball Medical Center Auxiliary has been raising
funds to purchase comfortable sweat suits, however additional
funding is always needed to help ensure the continuation
of this project at Kimball,” said Paskewich.
If you are interested in making a donation for this project,
please call the Kimball Medical Center Auxiliary at (732)
886-GIFT (4438).
Date: April 3, 2009
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
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