PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — More than 19,000 people in Maine are sexually assaulted each year, and one in five Mainers will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes. In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Northern Light AR Gould Hospital is highlighting the vital role of skilled, compassionate nurses who have special training to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care to females and males affected by sexual assault and violence.
Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner nurses perform person-centered forensic examinations and provide education, support, medication counseling, and connections to community resources. SAFE nurses may also serve as expert court witnesses. To become SAFE-trained, nurses must complete extensive training overseen by the Office of Child and Family Services, part of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Peter Laplante, RN, a SAFE nurse who works in the emergency department at AR Gould Hospital, is one of three nurses at the hospital who is credentialed in adult and adolescent care. Laplante is currently working to join one of his colleagues in becoming credentialed in pediatrics.
“The biggest thing that comes out of training is how to help perform trauma informed care to our sexual assault patients,” he says. “These patients are in some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and by building trust and providing patient-centered care we can help them with their immediate needs and long-term recovery.”
While SAFE-trained nurses are more common in larger communities, Laplante says that rural areas face a shortage of credentialed nurses and may not have any coverage at all. He says that having three credentialed nurses in the community speaks to the emergency department’s commitment to caring for all patient populations.
“The feedback from patients has been positive,” he says. “Ultimately, we are trying to make sure that they feel heard and are respected and supported during these difficult experiences. We want them to have control over their care and to be treated with compassion and dignity.”
Laplante notes that his training goes beyond sexual assault; he is prepared to help patients who are affected by any kind of domestic violence, including child abuse victims. While he knows that some individuals may be hesitant to seek treatment, he emphasizes that care is always provided on the patient’s own terms.
“Throughout this entire exam, they are able to choose what they’re comfortable with,” he says. “Nothing is done without their consent. If at any point they decide that they want to discontinue, we stop. We are there to support them, answer their questions, make sure that they feel safe, and let them know that it is okay to feel anxious. They don’t have to decide everything right away.”
Patients can choose whether to have evidence collected and whether they want to report their case to law enforcement. If a patient is unsure about reporting at the time of the exam, they also have the option to have evidence collected and stored with law enforcement anonymously. All SAFE nurse documentation and photographs taken are stored in a sealed envelope with evidence tape, kept in a separate secure location, and are not stored in the patient’s medical chart.
SAFE-trained nurses support patients affected by sexual assault and violence at many Northern Light hospitals across Maine. Northern Light AR Gould Hospital is hosting a University of New England Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Education training opportunity for healthcare providers May 11-16. For more information on how to register for this course through UNE, you can contact the hospital’s Clinical Education Department at 207-768-4195.
