Collecting evidence for sexual assault: the role of the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE).

The development of SANE programs stemmed from healthcare providers and others working with rape victims noting that there were inadequate services for rape victims. Often the standard of care was lower for rape victims than for other patients in the emergency department. In order to better meet the complex needs of rape victims healthcare professionals, advocates and others realized the need to establish a system that would provide complete, comprehensive, and appropriate care. Copyright 2002 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics