SARASOTA, Fla. (April 11, 2024) – Over half of women and almost one in three men suffer a sexual assault with violence in their lifetimes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Beyond the physical bruises and injuries, those assaults have long-term consequences for survivors, especially when they are too afraid or ashamed to seek help, said Elizabeth Kovach, a board-certified sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) who coordinates Sarasota Memorial’s forensic program and team of over 40 specialized forensic nurses who have been caring for patients throughout Sarasota County since 2015.
The SMH team counsels and cares for survivors of sexual assault and other acts of violence at the health system’s three Emergency Care Centers, and provides ongoing support and resources to support them through the healing process. They are there to help patients who may have been exposed to sexually transmitted diseases or potential pregnancy concerns, or suffer from anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts. If criminal charges are filed, they work with authorities to provide expert testimony in the courtroom.
"Nine of 10 women who are raped experience post-traumatic stress disorder that often begins during the first two weeks following their assault," said Kovach, who also serves as the Florida Chapter President of the International Association of Forensic Nurses. "In many cases, adults are not required to report sexual assault to law enforcement, but it's important for them to know they can still access care, resources and critical support. When they come to the ER, they can choose what they would like to do, and it's our job to support them in those decisions."
The number of survivors the team has cared for has been increasing, from about 5-6 patients per month in 2016 to nearly 20 per month today. In 2023, the SMH team cared for 215 sexual assault patients, up from 200 the year before.
With numbers on the rise, and a shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners locally and nationally, SMH's forensics team has been collaborating with other agencies as it expands its outreach, training more than 100 other nurses in the community and other professionals who work with sexual assault survivors, with financial support from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. In 2023, the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Accreditation Committee commended SMH's forensic nurses, highlighting their program as a "top exemplar" and model for other hospitals across the nation.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, specially trained nurses are available at Sarasota Memorial’s three emergency care centers in Sarasota, Venice and North Port. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). For online help, including chat hotlines in English and Spanish, click here.
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional health system offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with more than 10,000 employees and 1.5 million patient visits each year across its two hospital campuses, freestanding ER, skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, cancer institute, behavioral health pavilion and regional network of outpatient/urgent care centers and physician practices. For information, visit smh.com.