27-05-2025
New partnership in Centre County gives support for sexual assault victims
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A new partnership in Centre County is bringing new technology and enhanced care for sexual assault victims to the region.
Penn Highlands State College and the Sexual Assault Telehealth (SAFE-T) System partnered to bring the new technology and enhanced care. SAFE-T System was launched with support from the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime as a solution to enhance access to high-quality sexual assault care in underserved communities. When someone arrives at Penn Highlands State College after experiencing sexual violence, they will immediately have access to a board-certified sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE).
'We need to be ready to deliver a compassionate, person-centered, trauma-informed care when somebody who experiences sexual assault,' Associate Professor at the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, & Founder and Director of SAFE-T System, Sheridan Miyamoto said.
SANEs have extensive experience in the provision of sexual assault care. Thanks to SAFE-T System's specialized forensic telehealth technology, their expertise can be accessed in the Centre County region. Typically, access to SANEs with this level of training and experience is often limited to large urban sexual assault centers.
However, the innovative partnership Penn Highlands State College shares with SAFE-T System makes it possible to have this expertise in this region. The SAFE-T System telehealth SANE (teleSANE) can see the live exam in progress, ensuring best practices, proper evidence collection, and a safe and supportive environment for the patient.
'The need, especially with Penn State University being here, we have Lock Haven, we have Juniata College just down the road as well. The need is there, we're really hoping that patients feel confident in coming to us to be able to give them the care,' Penn Highlands State College ER Director, Amanda Myers, said.
The goal of this system is not only top-quality care but also the hope that more people come into the facility to get help. Myers said that since many hospitals don't have the training and resources for this, many patients feel they're not going to be believed and having this new system in the Centre County community is very beneficial. Plus, she added that many still need help and care after the exam.
'Because once we treat medically, it doesn't stop for them. We see that often patients develop PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and we want to make sure that they know that once they leave our doors, we're still here for them,' Myers said.
Sexual assault forensic examinations are free to patients and no cost is incurred for SAFE-T System telehealth support. Forensic examination services are available at Penn Highlands State College Emergency Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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