The 暗网禁区 has worked closely with community partners to start a Sex Assault Nurse Examination program at a Boulder hospital during the first quarter of 2015. Boulder Community Health plans to launch the SANE program at its Foothills campus, providing a critical support resource for sex assault survivors.
Valerie Simons, CU-Boulder Title IX Coordinator and Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, joined District Attorney Stan Garnett and other community partners to make the announcement at a press conference on Dec. 16.
鈥淲e are pleased to see this team effort succeed with accessible examinations beginning soon in Boulder,鈥� Simons said. 鈥淐hancellor DiStefano has committed funds for this program because, as a campus, we care deeply about those who are victimized by sexual assault and other serious crimes. We believe that having a local SANE program will provide immediate medical treatment for victims and be a vital support service for our community.鈥�
Boulder last had a SANE program in 2002. Currently, if CU-Boulder students report a campus sex assault to police and request a SANE examination, CU police officers drive the survivor to the SANE program at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland. Regardless of whether survivors report a sex assault to police, they can get an examination at the Medical Center of the Rockies or听St. Anthony North Hospital in Westminster.听Now, this resource will be located less than 2 miles from Main Campus.
鈥淲e are so pleased that survivors of sexual assault in Boulder County will be able to have local access to critical and necessary medical care and advice during a very traumatic time, as well as aid law enforcement in the collection of forensic evidence, if the survivor so chooses,鈥� said Chief Trial Deputy District Attorney Katharina Booth. 鈥淭he establishment of this SANE program demonstrates that Boulder County cares about sexual assault survivors and wants to support them during this most difficult time.鈥�
In addition to CU-Boulder鈥檚 funding for medical personnel training, the District Attorney鈥檚 Office, Boulder County commissioners, Boulder Community Health, Medical Center of the Rockies and Moving to End Sexual Assault were integral in starting this program.
Chancellor DiStefano praised Simons and Jessica Ladd-Webert, director of the Office of Victim Assistance, for their efforts on this project.
鈥淢any people on this campus work tirelessly to support victims and provide them with the resources they need during times of trauma,鈥� DiStefano said. 鈥淵ou have my pledge that we will continue this important work and always strive to improve.鈥�
Image of Boulder Community Hospital courtesy of OZ Architecture.