SANE Team
Shelterhouse's SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examination) team has 20+ years of sexual assault nursing examination experience combined. Our SANE advocates work alongside examiners, ensuring medical and advocacy needs are met. The team strives for 24/7 coverage so that support remains accessible and consistent
The SANE team is committed to protecting and honoring each patient's right to medical care, confidential services, bodily autonomy, and self-determination. We recognize that the patients we serve are resilient individuals who are not defined by the trauma they've experienced.
SANE Medical Team
Lorie Ladziak-Thivierge, RN, BSN, SANE-A
BeccaLynne Carson, PA-C
Amanda Pahl, RN
Dr. Melissa Weckesser, MD
Sexual Assault
Crisis Response Advocates
Samantha Wilson
Kaitlyn Gromanski
Susan Williams
Head-to-toe assessment for injuries
Treatment and documentation of injuries
Access to medications to prevent pregnancy and STIs
Opportunity to have medical questions and concerns addressed
Body safety education
Advocacy
Collection of forensic evidence to be analyzed in a crime lab for law enforcement investigations
During a SANE exam, all of the choices are the survivor's. The nurse and advocate will talk the survivor through each step, and the exam can be stopped at any point in time for any reason if the survivor is feeling uncomfortable. Shelterhouse's SANE team can provide the following services, depending on how long has passed since the assault took place:
Children & Teens
A common misconception surrounding SANE exams is that they are scary and may retraumatize children SANE exams are similar to a typical doctor's visit. The majority of pediatric patients inquire when they can come back and see the SANE team again after their exam.
Accommodations are made to ensure services are age appropriate and that the child is in full control during their exam. Coloring books, toys, stuffed animals, fidget toys, snacks, and other items are offered to children to create a safe and relaxing experience for them
Shelterhouse's new in-house SANE suite is entirely trauma-informed and designed to make survivors feel safe, welcomed, and empowered.
Besides comfortable seating and an assortment of toys for little ones, there's also a shower for a post-exam cleansing experience, lockers to keep personal items safe, a medical examination bed designed to fit individuals of all ages, genders, and body sizes, and a state-of-art colposcope for medical exams.
Survivors are given a fresh set of clothes to change into and a quilt or blanket donated by community members
This suite is right down the hall from Shelterhouse's counseling wing, and has 24/7 access to trauma-informed advocates.
All of Shelterhouse's services are 100% free and confidential We will never disclose an exam to anyone (including the police or an insurance company) unless the survivor directly ask us to.
If evidence is collected during a SANE exam, it can be stored for up to a year while a survivor decides whether or not they want to take legal action.
Survivors are welcome to utilize any of Shelterhouse's other free and confidential services after their SANE exam in order to pursue longterm healing.
Many survivors choose to partake in one-on-one therapy, support groups, or legal advocacy following sexual assault.
24/7 crisis hotline
Emergency shelter
One-on-one counseling
Support groups
Legal advocacy
Basic needs assistance
We recognize that the patients we serve are resilient individuals who are not defined by the trauma they've experienced.
- Lorie Ladziak-Thivierge, SANE Program CoordinatorSexual assault nursing examinations
24/7 Crisis Hotline
Call: 877-216-6383
Text: 989-200-5122