SACASA Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Janice Lange, was awarded a Ben's Bell for inspiring kindness and making Tucson a better place to live. We could have written pages upon pages about Janice and the importance of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, but we had to keep it short and, clearly, the impact is evident. Thank you to Janice and all our SANEs for their selfless dedication to the healing of survivors of sexual assault and strangulation.Meet Janice Lange, this week's Ben's Bells Project #Bellee! Kristine Welter Hall nominated Janice for her work as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
Janice Lange, BSN, RN, SANE-A is a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). She is one of less than 12 SANEs in Pima County contracted to provide 24/7 adult medical forensic exams (MFE) following rape/strangulation. MFEs are more than a “rape kit.” They are multi-hour, head-to-toe medical and forensic exams for violent/complex assaults. The SANE is a compassionate professional during what can be the worst day of someone’s life. As such, SANEs are exposed to extensive trauma, often resulting in secondary trauma and burnout.
This is why Janice’s service over the past year — during COVID — has been particularly noteworthy. From March 2020 through February 2021, Janice covered nearly 50% of all on-call time, completed 192 MFEs (56% of annual total), and completed 55 strangulation exams (45% of annual total).
Janice has consistently given of herself in the midst of the Pandemic for the wellbeing of survivors. When her colleagues were unavailable due to COVID concerns or family illnesses, Janice was able to take on extra shifts. When COVID fear was at its peak, Janice put on another mask and served. Her commitment to survivors of sexual assault is absolutely above and beyond and we hope you will honor her!
If you know someone who inspires kindness within the Greater Tucson, Phoenix, or Connecticut community, nominate them for a Ben's Bell! bensbells.org/forms/nominate-a-bellee ... See MoreSee Less
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Update: our phone lines are working again. Please call us for support at 520-327-7273.
Our phone lines are temporarily down right now. If you need immediate support, please call the National RAINN support line at 800-656-4673. We will post again when the phones are back up. ... See MoreSee Less
SACASA will be closed tomorrow, Monday, May 31st for Memorial Day. However, you can ALWAYS call our 24/7 crisis hotline at (520) 327-7273 for support days, nights, weekends and holidays. We're here for you when you need us. Wishing you a safe, healthy and happy new year! ... See MoreSee Less
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"I think it’s important for the general public to understand that it takes tremendous courage for survivors of sexual assault to seek medical care and/or report to law enforcement," says SACASA Crisis Advocate, Mara.
"When a survivor makes a report of sexual abuse/assault, they are calling a person’s integrity into question, in a way that society has proven to not be very forgiving in its scrutiny of these types of crimes far more so than others. This puts the perpetrator in the spotlight as well as themselves.
"This is an incredibly vulnerable position a survivor is put in, so it is normal for them to evaluate questions like, 'is it worth it to report? How will reporting affect my family? How will it effect my job? What if the perpetrator is someone who is close to me, or well respected or loved? What if they are the parent of my child? Who will take care of us?'
"When a survivor makes this report, they are understanding that they are putting nearly everything on the line that is important to them, that they want to protect from harm, from bullying, from scrutiny. They are well aware more so than anyone else, of what they are risking in the name of justice or in the name of saving the next person it could possibly happen to. Or maybe just for themselves and their own peace of mind. And this is what they have to ask themselves when they make the courageous decision to report,
'is it worth it?' ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet Crisis Advocate, Mara. "I love what I do because it is literally my job to be here for you and to support you. And I know I’m not the only person that feels that way towards survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
"At the end of the day, a survivor reclaiming their power and confidence in the decisions that they make is our top priority as crisis advocates and we respect whatever decision they decide is best for themselves and or their families. Although we are on the frontlines of that charge, everyone can be a part of that mission. You don’t have to be a police officer, an advocate, a doctor, a teacher, or a counselor. Anyone can be educated in what the rights are of victims of sexual assault/abuse and anyone can reach out and make a report about a child or vulnerable adult who they suspect may be being sexually abused.
"Anyone can give their friend, coworker, or loved one our crisis line number to gather information either on behalf of their friend or loved on, or encourage them to call in, or even go on the individual resources' website and show them that information.
"Often we don’t want to intrude or act in a way that isn’t our place. And while these boundaries are important and should be respected, it is important to at least extend a helping hand and just let someone know that you do care what they are going through, and you do want to see them healthy, stable, and successful despite what has already happened to them."
If you would like more help knowing how to support sexual assault survivors, call us at 520-327-1171. ... See MoreSee Less
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