Logan Health Medical Center provides around the clock access to specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). SANE practitioners are specifically trained in providing trauma-informed care and forensic evidence collection for patients who have experienced sexual assault or sexual violence.
We are here to help you start your healing journey.
Treating Sexual Assault
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience sexual violence of some kind during their lifetime. Some of those victims walk through the doors of emergency rooms seeking treatment and compassion.
To begin the process of physical, mental and spiritual recovery, we can walk through risk levels and treatments for the following:
- Sexually transmitted disease: Sexual assault can place you at risk for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphi.is, trichomoniasis, and viral hepatitis (hepatitis B or C). Your SANE may recommend treatment for some of these diseases right away and discuss recommenced follow up testing and/or treatment.
- HIV: you have a very slight risk of getting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) from a sexual assault. Your SANE will review your risk level with you and determine if medications are needed to protect you against the virus.
- Pregnancy: Your SANE can discuss options with you.
Follow-Up Care
Be sure to visit your primary health care provider again within two weeks. Your follow-up visit will give you time to discuss your hepatitis B vaccination staus and the Gardasil vaccine used to prevent human papilloma virus (HPV). Your provider may also recommend repeat testing for HIV. Together, with your care team, you can make a plan for repeat testing and continued follow-up care.
Long-term emotions following the assault may include the following:
- Shock
- Nervousness
- Denial
- Distrust of other
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Trouble sleeping
- Shame or guilt
Help is available to those who need it. Here are other ways to get the help you need:
- Logan Health Newman Center- Adult Services: 406-758-3244
- Logan Health Newman Center-Pediatric Services: 406-758-5155
- National Sexual Assault hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- Abbie Shelter 406-752-7273
- Flathead County Crisis Line: 406-752-6262