[LWalk18]

Or is the "rape kit" intended only to assist a prosecution?

My general feeling reading about the rape kit and the initial finding of evidence of sexual assault is that if a woman says that she has been raped, they proceed on the assumption that she has been raped, and any ambigious evidence is interpreted as proving a rape occurred.

Does anyone know how SANE nurses are trained? Are they given the propaganda that women practically never lie about rape? That would make it difficult for a nurse to say otherwise, even if she has vague suspicions. In addition, some one wrote yesterday either here or on another board (I have been following this case quite intensely, and I am beginning to lose track) that many SANE nurses would rather be safe than sorry and say that there is evidence of rape, letting the police sort it out.

[LK44-40]

Does anyone know how SANE nurses are trained? Are they given the propaganda that women practically never lie about rape?

When a nurse chooses to specialize in this area, I think odds are overwhelming that she is emotionally wrapped up in rape and "women's issues." That is a generalization, of course.

[SirJohnBarleycorn]

Here's what someone on another thread with emergency room experience had to say on the question of whether she would have been tested:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1613923/posts?page=14#14

[Jezebelle]

The alleged victim is presumed to be truthful.

[Brytani]

SANE nurses are given a 40 hour course administered by the American Association of Forensic Nurses. They are RN's and some have a masters degree in Forensic Nursing. The course includes dealing with the psychological effects of rape, evidence collection etc. They are not taught to determine if a rape occurred or not. They are simply there to collect evidence and pass it onto the police.

Take two cases. First, a woman comes in obviously beat, ligature marks on their arms and legs, clothes missing or ripped to shreds. Knife or other weapon marks on their body. She has trace fibers, hairs and semen in her. The SANE nurse will collect the information, attempt to get any statements that are possible from the woman and pass it onto the police. She/He will indicate that there are injuries and evidence consistent with a rape.

Second case, a woman comes into the ER claiming she had been raped. All the SANE nurse can find is the presence of semen and a trace hair or two. No other injuries are visible. The nurse will still collect the evidence, document the claims of the patient as to being raped and indicate that there is evidence consistent with a rape, the semen.

It is not the SANE nurses job to determine if a rape happened in either of these cases. That is up to police investigators to determine. All the SANE nurse can go by is the statement of the patient and the injuries/evidence the patients presents with.

Hope this helps.