Davis Forensic Nurses
Davis Forensic Nurses, through Safe Harbor Crisis
Davis Forensic Nurses are committed to providing trauma-informed and patient-centered care to survivors of sexual assault. Our nurses provide free sexual assault examinations to survivors which
Call Safe Harbor’s Crisis Line (801) 444-9161 to dispatch a Davis Forensic Nurse and a crisis advocate to respond to the exam. A nurse will contact you to coordinate details.
Questions about the Davis Forensic Nurse program? Contact the SANE Coordinator, Shawna Bryant, via email at shawna@safeharborhope.org
Sexual Assault examination Services:
When and how can I request a sexual assault examination?
Sexual assault examinations are typically completed in the first 120 hours after an assault has occurred. If you have been assaulted and would like to request an exam please contact the Safe Harbor Crisis Line at (801) 444-9161.
What should I expect from a sexual assault examination?
Sexual assault examinations provide medical care, STI preventative medications, emergency contraception, documentation of the assault and evidence collection. Evidence collection could include swabbing for DNA, collecting clothing or other trace evidence and blood and urine. Evidence collected can help aid in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases. Sexual assault examinations can take anywhere from 2 – 4 hours. A sexual assault crisis advocate will respond with the survivor to the sexual assault examination to provide emotional support and resources to help survivors begin the process of healing. Sexual assault services can be continued through Safe Harbor Crisis Center following the sexual assault examination to help lessen the long-term and emotional complications from sexual violence.
What if I think I was drugged during my sexual assault?
Drugs used to facilitate sexual assault can be found in the blood or urine. The forensic nurse can collect blood and urine as evidence so that it can later be tested for substances used to facilitate sexual assault. It is important to request a sexual assault examination as soon as possible, as evidence in the blood and urine is lost over time.
What STI preventative medications are offered?
Preventative STI medications are offered for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomonas and HIV. Patients can also start the Hep B immunizations series and receive emergency contraception (plan B).
What happens to my evidence after the sexual assault examination?
Evidence collected will be turned over to law enforcement. The law enforcement agency has 30 days to turn evidence into the Utah State Crime Lab or Utah State Toxicology Lab to be analyzed (unless you have a restricted kit).
What if I am not ready to speak with law enforcement or what is a restricted kit?
A restricted kit is when a survivor chooses not to have their evidence sent to the crime lab / toxicology lab for testing and processing. The sexual assault examination forms and paperwork will not be released to law enforcement when a kit is restricted. The sexual assault examination forms and paperwork are used by law enforcement to investigate sexual assault cases and also used by crime lab personnel to determine what pieces of evidence should be tested. A survivor can un-restrict their kit at any time by contacting the law enforcement agency. The kit will then be sent to the crime lab for testing and the paperwork will be released from Davis Forensic Nurses.
A survivor can still choose to have their sexual assault evidence tested at the crime lab / toxicology lab and have paperwork released, but let law enforcement know they are not ready to move forward or interview with their case at this time. Sometimes, survivors may want to wait for evidence to be tested before deciding whether or not they want to move forward with the investigation or prosecution of their case.
What is the cost to a sexual assault examination?
Sexual assault examinations are free. Patients / survivors will not be charged for services. The Utah Office for Victims of Crime pays for all sexual assault exams in the State of Utah.
Want to speak with an advocate about your options?
Contact the Safe Harbor Crisis Line to be directed to a sexual assault advocate. (801) 444-9161.