SIDNEY — Wilson Health provides sensitive health care and treatment to victims of sexual assault and rape and is now partnering with a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program.

SANE provides Wilson Health with access to a sexual assault nurse examiner 24 hours a day for patients who arrive through the emergency department as well as in-house patients after a reported sexual assault.

“Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes in the nation,” said David Buchanan, emergency department director at Wilson Health. “We want our community to know that at Wilson Health, we are prepared to offer compassionate, comprehensive medical and forensic care to the victims of sexual assault.”

A sexual assault nurse examiner is a registered nurse with special education and training in the care of people who have experienced sexual and family violence. The nurse offers the information and support needed to make personal choices about health care following rape, sexual assault or family violence.

When a victim comes to the Wilson Health emergency department, a sexual assault nurse examiner will evaluate him or her for health risks and provide appropriate treatment. The nurse also collects evidence of the assault to be used if the victim chooses to report the crime.

A sexual assault nurse examiner can evaluate a victim whose assault has occurred within the previous five days.

During a sexual assault exam, the nurse will identify and care for injuries, collect physical evidence, assess risk of sexually transmitted diseases and give preventative treatment, assess risk of pregnancy and present emergency prevention options, give crisis information and referral to support services, and provide referrals for appropriate medical follow-up.

For information, call 498-5326.