'Go home and wait': Gaps in sexual assault forensic examination program outrageous: MNU
The Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) wants action on a vital forensic program that examines sexual assault victims in Manitoba.
MNU president Darlene Jackson said Wednesday the Sexual Assault Nursing Examiner Program or SANE has staffing shortages and is being held together by a small dedicated group. The group is made up of one full-time nurse and 14 casual nurses, who hold other full-time nursing jobs but work SANE shifts on call during their off time.
“This is more than facing a shortage. This is a program that is not functioning,” she said.
At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Jackson said the union is hearing more often, at least weekly, about circumstances where alleged sexual assault victims come to the Health Sciences Centre emergency room for an examination and are told to go home, do their best to preserve evidence, and come back when there is a SANE nurse on shift.
“I don’t need to tell you the impact of a request like that,” said Jackson.
“Imagine being told not to shower, not to change your child’s diaper, or to wipe after going to the washroom in an effort to preserve evidence that may affect the outcome of a court case.”
Jackson said it’s imperative SANE run 24/7 because there is no way to predict when a potential sexual assault victim may show up needing an examination from a nurse trained in the delicate process.
NEW PROGRAM BEING WORKED ON
In April 2022, the Manitoba government announced there would be a new, expanded program called the Forensic Nurse Examiner Program. It was meant to allow more sexual assault survivors to get examined closer to home and not make a trip to Winnipeg in a fragile state.
The idea was to have five full-time nurses at HSC Winnipeg as well as have nurses trained in satellite sites in Brandon, The Pas and Thompson.
It was expected to be up and running by early 2023 and $640,000 in annual funding was put toward it.
“This has not happened,” said Jackson.
“To date, we have yet to see a full-time provincial coordinator hired nor any education delivered at spoke sites outside the perimeter which means that our rural and northern patients' needs [have] not been met.”
Jackson said the remaining nurses put together a presentation for their employer begging for help and they also met with Health Minister Audrey Gordon last November to talk about how imperative it is for movement on this new program.
“This is outrageous. This program services patients from all over Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario and Southern Saskatchewan. This program deserves a dedicated space in a private, safe environment. This program has received funding and now needs action. It is completely unacceptable to allow this to continue. We must do more to protect these vulnerable survivors and to prevent the few remaining nurses from leaving altogether.”
Shared Health said efforts to get the program developed have been in place since April 2022. They said five of the seven forensic nurse examiner positions have been filled, with training beginning in February. Shared Health added recruitment of a manager for the program is also underway.
“Shared Health recognizes the valuable role staff in the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program play in offering a variety of supports, including medical care and connections to resources in the community, for those individuals in need of this highly specialized service,” a spokesperson said in a written statement. “We are committed to enhancing the reliability, availability and access of these resources for individuals living across Manitoba.”
BILL 213
In November 2020, NDP MLA Amanda Lathin introduced Bill 213, The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault Act (Trained Health Professionals and Evidence Collection Kits) to the Manitoba Legislature.
This bill requires the minister responsible to report each year, by health authority, on the number of health professionals with special training to examine children who have been sexually assaulted and on sexual assault evidence kit inventory.
This act will come into force on the day it receives royal assent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.