Redmond community pulls together to transform SANE room 

Redmond, Ore. – Community members are working together to make a difference in the lives of sexual assault survivors. Inspired and driven by this goal, Emmaus Lutheran Church, Saving Grace, and St. Charles Redmond joined together to transform the St. Charles Redmond Sexual Assault Exam Room into a warmer and more comforting environment for victims of sexual assault.

Sexual assault survivors are examined by a Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in a Sexual Assault Exam Room. In this room a survivor is checked for injuries, treated for sexually transmitted diseases and potential pregnancy. During this time, forensic evidence is often collected. There is no cost for the exam.

“For some sexual assault victims, the exam and time in the hospital are their first steps towards healing,” said Beth Reynolds, manager for the St. Charles Redmond Emergency Department. “The creation of the SANE rooms not only provides a similar setting to what we have in Bend, but it also provides a brighter and more peaceful area in which the interview and exam can take place.” St. Charles Redmond employs two SANE nurses with the hope of adding a third in 2009. Redmond nurses also conduct exams in Bend to better serve Central Oregon. During many exams, patients are put in touch with Saving Grace.

In 2007, Saving Grace provided 171 sexual assault services to those in need in the Central Oregon region. Among these services, Saving Grace provides an advocate for sexual assault survivors at St. Charles Bend and Redmond. The ongoing collaboration between Saving Grace and the two hospitals gives survivors as much support and assistance as possible during the traumatic experience of sexual assault.

The invasive exam can be especially traumatic for survivors of sexual assault. For this reason, St. Charles Bend redecorated their Sexual Assault Exam Room last year from a sterile, cold, hospital room, to a warm and safe space. This transformation has had a tremendous effect on sexual assault survivors and Emmaus Lutheran Church, Saving Grace and St. Charles Redmond hope the transformation of the St. Charles Redmond room will have the same effect.

Members of Emmaus Lutheran Church sought out Saving Grace to help in their mission to provide comprehensive family violence and sexual assault services and promote the value of living life free from violence. It was decided that transforming the Redmond Sexual Assault Exam room would be the best way for their congregation to get involved.

Pastor Randy VanMehren of the Redmond Emmaus Lutheran Church led his congregation in this effort. “We wanted to help and support Saving Grace in their work of helping, supporting and aiding those who experience violence,” VanMehren said. “Many thanks go to the staff at St. Charles Redmond, Saving Grace and the men and women of Emmaus Lutheran Church for all the time and assistance in carrying this project to its completion."

For more information or to get involved, please contact the Saving Grace 24-hour hotline at (541) 389-7021, in Redmond at (541) 504-2550, or visit us online at www.saving-grace.org.
 
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