Last fall, Kaua’i’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) was formed. At that time, members of the three-pronged team (law enforcement, medical personnel and support services) said they needed an examination room for victims of sexual assault. They now have that
Last fall, Kaua’i’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) was formed. At that
time, members of the three-pronged team (law enforcement, medical personnel and
support services) said they needed an examination room for victims of sexual
assault.
They now have that room.
Renae Hamilton, assistant director of
SART, said the final costs of $7,000 have been met, and the room will open this
month at an undisclosed location on the island.
Hamilton said the exam room
will hopefully reduce some of the trauma that victims of sexual assault suffer
waiting – sometimes for hours – in a hospital emergency room to be
examined.
Also, Hamilton said, every emergency room doctor and nurse on
call hasn’t always gotten specialized training to treat assault
victims.
SART has a nurse practitioner on call, specially trained to
perform the post-assault exams. Other SART personnel will also be on
hand.
“It’s a holistic service for the victim,” Hamilton explained.
The
entire process can be put in motion by the victim if she or he calls the Rape
Crisis Line (245-4144).
The Kmart store in Lihu’e helped out, donating
items for victim packets to be given away at the exam room. The packets include
shampoo and other essentials victims might need.
“We’re really grateful.
This has been a real community project, including the (Kaua’i County)
prosecutor, police and the YWCA sexual assault program,” Hamilton noted.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and
[dwilken@pulitzer.net]
