Wood County Hospital Emergency Department Receives Donations for Sexual Assault Examination Program

The Wood County Hospital Emergency Department recently
received two donations that will be used to improve the department’s sexual assault examination process; a swab dryer and new clothing for assault victims.

The Dry-Fast Swab Dryer was donated by The Wood County
Prosecutor’s Office and will be used to rapidly air dry evidence swabs that are collected and then packaged as part of the sexual assault exams. “The dryer was costly and something that we need in order to better preserve evidence for these cases,” said Katie Hunt, WCH Emergency Department Director.

The SAAFE Center donated $1,000 in gender neutral undergarments and other clothing to be given to victims of sexual assault following their examinations by WCH Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). SANE nurses are registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in the medical forensic care of the patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse.

“The patient’s clothing is taken as evidence so these new garments will help them feel more comfortable following the examination,” said Hunt.

The SAAFE Center, which is Wood County’s Rape Crisis program, provides crisis intervention, emotional support, medical and legal
advocacy, support groups, and information and referrals for sexual assault, stalking, sexual harassment, and sex trafficking victims.

“We are very grateful to both the Wood County Prosecutor’s
Office and the SAAFE Center for assisting us in our provision of services to the victims of sexual assault,” said Hunt. “The swab dryer and the clothing will be very helpful to our SANE nurses and our patients.”