April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Date: 04/08/2021

One in five Mainers have experienced sexual assault at some point in their lifetime. Each year 14,000 Mainers will experience sexual violence. You can be part of the solution in helping build awareness and combat sexual assault in our communities. Rape Response Services is the advocacy service for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties promoting prevention and providing hope and support to those affected by sexual violence. This month, Rape Response is featuring educational sessions regarding sexual assault awareness, one of which is Teal Talks: Facebook Live events every Thursday afternoon.
 
On April 1, the Teal Talk featured Danielle Coutu, RN, SAFE-A, staff nurse, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center Emergency Department, and a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE). Dani highlighted the services available to sexual assault survivors in a healthcare setting, the role of the forensic examiner, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and action.

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has two credentialed Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners and six in-training, all of whom provide trauma-informed best practices to survivors that present to our ED. These nurses are not only trained to care for sexual assault patients, but those experiencing domestic violence, trafficking, child, and elder abuse. 

Questions about SAAM and/or forensic nursing may be directed to Rebecca George, RN, BSN, CEN, SITSAFE program coordinator, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, at rmgeorge@northernlight.org.
 
If you have experienced sexual violence, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault offers support through a free and private helpline, available 24/7. Call 1.800.871.7741 for assistance.