SANE Exams

What should I expect?

SANE stands for “Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner”, so a SANE Exam is the exam that a specialized nurse does when someone comes to the hospital after a sexual assault.

Many people aren’t clear on what to expect during a SANE exam. Here is a list of things a nurse MAY DO in order to gain physical evidence. A nurse may not do everything listed depending on what happened during the assault, and depending on what you are comfortable with.

  • Ask about the event

  • Document physical injuries

  • Look for/take pictures of bruising, scratches, or marks from the event

  • Swab under your fingernails

  • Take any hair samples present

  • Take a mouth swab

  • Do a pelvic exam/take genital swab

  • Take an anal swab

  • Take a urine sample

  • Take a blood sample

  • Collect any clothing or other items that could potentially have DNA evidence

Important Things to Remember about SANE exams

  • SANE Exams are not what everyone chooses to do, and that it OK.

  • Any DNA evidence will be strongest directly after assault, and will slowly get weaker over time.

  • DNA evidence is strongest if you don’t shower after the assault.

  • If you do wait or shower before an exam, you can still get an exam. Don’t let time or the idea that they won’t find anything deter you.

  • You don’t have to do anything in the exam that you don’t want to do if it is triggering or makes you uncomfortable! This one is important. Although uncommon, a nurse may forget to mention that you can opt out of any part of the test. You are the one volunteering to take the exam- only do what you want to do.

  • In Vermont you can do a SANE exam anonymously.

  • You don’t have to make a police report just because you have a SANE exam. If you choose to report later, though, the evidence will still be there.

  • After the exam, the nurse may offer medication to prevent HIV. Whether to take that or not is up to you, but if you choose to take it, contact your local Sexual Violence organization to see if they will cover any costs that insurance doesn’t (WomenSafe can assist with these costs).