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.