Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program

What is SANE?

SANE stands for “Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner,” a specially-trained and certified nurse or physician who is on call to care for victims of sexual assault at a designated SANE site. When a victim seeks medical care for a sexual assault, a SANE is summoned by beeper system and generally arrives within 40-60 minutes of being paged. The SANE will document the victim’s account of the assault, perform necessary medical exams and testing and collect critical forensic evidence that can be used in a prosecution of the crime.

SANEs are trained in both the physical and emotional aspects of caring for victims of sexual assault. The SANE program collaborates with advocates from area rape crisis centers who can also be available for resources and support of the victim. Medical advocates are there as an advocate for the victim and serve as a guide through the often bewildering and frightening aftermath of an assault.

The SANE Program also coordinates with district attorneys, medical providers, law enforcement, Boston and State Police Crime Labs, and community-based services to create an efficient and effective team of professionals.  Learn more details about the program, by visiting the Department of Public Health.

Adult and Adolescent SANE

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program provides direct patient care to victims of sexual assault who present to SANE designated emergency departments and urgent care centers.  The SANEs deliver coordinated, expert forensic and medical care necessary to increase successful prosecution of sex offenders and to assure essential medical intervention to victims of assault age 12 and over.

Pediatric SANE

The Massachusetts Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program provides direct care to child victims (12 years of age or younger) of sexual abuse and assault throughout the Commonwealth.  Pediatric SANEs provide coordinated, expert forensic and medical care in accordance with "Do Not Harm" principles.  To view a list of Pediatric SANEs within Child Advocacy Centers, please visit the Help Directory.

Find a SANE site near you

To find a designated hospital for adult and adolescent SANE, please click here or visit the Help Directory.

For More Information

Please visit the Department of Public Health.