Nova Scotia Health has ceased its provision of a specialized nurse dedicated to gathering evidence from victims of intimate partner violence not involving sexual assault due to unintended repercussions in the legal system. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (SANE) was initiated in 2000 and expanded its scope to include cases of intimate partner violence without sexual assault just over a year ago.
While this extension aimed to offer victims of intimate partner violence access to a specially trained sexual assault nurse examiner regardless of sexual assault occurrence, it led to some complications, as highlighted by Janelle Comeau, the director of Nova Scotia Health’s violence prevention intervention and response program. In certain instances, victims provided differing statements to the nurse and law enforcement, resulting in discrepancies that posed challenges for the survivors in court.
Comeau mentioned that the nurses’ involvement in DNA collection, unnecessary in non-sexual assault cases, further contributed to the issues. She emphasized that victims usually knew the identity of their abuser, typically an intimate partner, making DNA collection redundant. The program’s inclusion of intimate partner violence cases without sexual assault concluded in December following feedback from partners, including the public prosecution service, indicating that the trauma-informed approach was inadvertently causing distress during court proceedings.
Despite the discontinuation of the program for such cases, Dawn Ferris, the executive director of the Cumberland County Transition House Association, acknowledged the rationale behind the decision. Ferris expressed concerns about the potential use of victims’ differing statements against them in court, emphasizing the need for a more trauma-informed approach to handling such cases.
While recognizing the ongoing need to support women affected by intimate partner violence, Ferris advocated for the retention of certain supportive aspects of the program, such as ensuring quick access to privacy for IPV patients upon hospital arrival. She stressed the importance of continually exploring new ways to assist women in need, especially given the persistent rise in domestic violence cases.
Comeau reassured that victims of intimate partner violence not involving sexual assault would still receive necessary community support services, affirming that there have been no reductions in funding or staffing for the SANE program. The nurses will maintain their focus on assisting victims of sexual assault while ensuring they remain responsive to evolving needs in this area.