SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE/FORENSIC EXAMINERS TO TRAIN IN HOULTON

August 15, 2003

AUGUST 15, 2003

CHARLES DOW, DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, 207-626-8577

 

Nurses from around the state will gather August 18 and 19 in Houlton for specialized training required for State certification as Sexual Assault Nurse/Forensic Examiners (SANE/SAFE).  The training is coordinated by the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program, which is part of the Attorney General’s Office, in conjunction with Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services, AMHC, and the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. 

On August 18 at Houlton Regional Hospital, the group will learn about Maine laws on sexual assault and abuse and discuss testifying as a witness.  On August 19, a mock trial on a gross sexual assault case will be held in Houlton Superior Court.  The roles of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, investigator and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner will be “played” by a professional from each respective discipline.  Members of the community will play the twelve jury and two witness roles.

The purpose of the training is to provide participants, primarily Registered Nurses, with a trial experience that will increase their skills and knowledge of Maine law, court procedure, how to be a witness, and to fulfill one clinical requirement toward state SANE/SAFE certification.   State standards for Sexual Assault Nurse/Forensic Examiners require that they have a working knowledge of Maine laws regarding sexual assault, and have attended at least two criminal trials, one of which must be a sexual assault trial. 

Members of the media interested in covering the training should contact Charles Dow in the Attorney General’s Office, who will make arrangements with the trainers for interviews.

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