The Women’s Center provides rape crisis response through partnerships with area hospitals and health centers, providing on-site, immediate advocacy for survivors of sexual assault who report for a Sexual Assault Nurse Examination (SANE). Our trained staff Advocates and volunteer On-Call Advocates arrive within 30 minutes of a call to provide emotional support and advocate for their well-being.
The Women’s Center is constantly expanding our partnerships with regional hospitals and health centers to ensure survivors have easy access to safe and secure support during and after their SANE exams. We have current partnerships with the following:
- Carroll Public Safety
- Waukesha Memorial Hospital – Pro Health
- Froedtert Menomonee Falls Campus
- Froedtert New Berlin Campus
- Froedtert Pewaukee Campus
- Aurora Medical Center in Summit
- Elmbrook Hospital
- Ascension Waukesha
- Ascension Menomonee Falls
What is SANE?
Victims of a sexual crime may choose to report the assault to the police, who will ask them to visit an area hospital for treatment and/or a SANE. Others might be unsure if they want to report to law enforcement right away and can call The Women’s Center’s 24-Hour Hotline to learn their options.
A sexual assault survivor is encouraged to seek help at an area hospital to treat injuries, some of which may not be visible or immediately apparent. While at the hospital, they will learn more about the exam in case they choose to report the crime later.
Upon arriving at the hospital, the survivor meets with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and a staff member or volunteer advocate from The Women’s Center. The examiner, a specially trained nurse, will conduct the private exam, which may include:
- Physical exam
- Treatment for injuries
- Tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Medications to prevent STIs
- Education about the physical and mental effects of sexual assault
- Information about community resources
- Sexual assault forensic exam
How does The Women’s Center provide support?
Our partner hospitals and health centers call our 24-Hour Hotline when a survivor of a sexual crime arrives for a SANE. A staff member or one of our volunteer On-Call Advocates responds immediately, arriving within 30 minutes of the report to provide crisis intervention and emotional support to the survivor during the examination process.
From arriving at the hospital to waiting for the examination to discharge, an advocate is alongside them throughout, providing emotional support and information on the resources available at The Women’s Center.
Volunteers
Our trained, volunteer On-Call Advocates join our staff as first responders to these calls. To learn more about volunteering as an On-Call Advocate, visit our Volunteer page.
Learn More
Call The Women’s Center 24 Hour Hotline at 262-542-3828 to ask confidential questions and/or to be connected immediately to an Advocate.