Providence, RI. (January 19, 2007). The United Way of Rhode Island has awarded a $60,000 grant to Day One for a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program that will train nurses to attend to sexual assault
victims' emotional and physical needs when they arrive at a hospital. Nurse examiners will be specially trained to collect evidence properly and compassionately.
"Many factors contribute to the underreporting of sexual assaults across the United States, but the very troubling fact remains that less than 25 percent of sexual assault victims report the crime," said Attorney
General Patrick C. Lynch.
"Implementing a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program here in Rhode Island would be taking a tangible
step toward helping the many victims who suffer in silence. In jurisdiction after jurisdiction, implementation of the SANE program has led to better evidence collection, which has led to prosecutors presenting
stronger cases to courts and juries, securing more convictions and longer jail sentences, and, ultimately, encouraging more victims to come forward. My prosecutors and I look forward to the ways in which the
SANE program will help us meet our legal burdens in proving these wrenching cases and making Rhode Island safer."
According to UWRI President and CEO Anthony Maione, "The nurse examiner training program will help the
victims of sexual trauma heal and recover from their terrible ordeal. We're pleased to be funding this program for a second year."
"We are thrilled to have the United Way's support for the SANE program," said Peg Langhammer, Executive Director of Day One. "Now, victims of sexual assault in Rhode Island will have an expert available to them
at the hospital to help ease them through the process, making it less traumatic for them and ensuring that they receive the assistance and attention they need."
Day One provides support for victims of sexual assault and their families, and serves as a resource for the larger community on issues relating to sexual assault, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other
violent crimes. Day One, formerly the RI Rape Crisis Center, is located on Medway Street in Providence.
United Way of Rhode Island is dedicated to mobilizing the caring power of the community to improve the
lives of people in need.
