The Compass Center says victims often don't know about the variety of resources available at a local E.R. and getting the word out could help during a traumatic time. It can also assist law enforcement in bringing abusers to justice.
Tonya Ellingson is one of 14 SANE nurses at Avera. The title stands for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and according to Ellingson, it's a much-needed segment of Avera's emergency room staff.
"I think it's pretty important, especially in South Dakota. We're currently number two per capita for sexual assaults in the nation. So that's a very large population that we serve. Those victims need the care and compassion and trust of a specially-trained nurse," Ellingson said.
If you find yourself the victim of sexual assault or abuse, you're urged to go to the E.R. within five days. That way biological evidence can be collected. Because of special training, you will find a team of supporters ready to help you using a variety of options. Everything is confidential and you get right in when you arrive.
"Relatable approach to our patients. We want them to know that they're heard. They're trusted. They're believed," Ellingson said.
From a free exam, to completing what's called a rape kit to receiving medical care, the emergency room has a lot to offer victims. On top of 24/7 medical assistance at Avera, The Compass Center also has victim advocates on call to offer as much advice and support as you need here or at Sanford Health's emergency room.
"The job of the advocate is to listen to what that person wants and to make sure that that happens," Markgraf said.
Michelle Markgraf is the Executive Director of The Compass Center. She's been an advocate for several victims over the years and wants more people to know that the emergency rooms in town are the places to go if you need immediate help. How much help is up to you. You can complete as much or as little of a rape kit as you want. You can also make a police report on the spot or do that at a later date.
If you think anonymous reporting is rare, it's not. There are actually dozens of kits securely stored in this E.R. right now.
The hospital will keep the rape kit for a year. That way, victims can make their police report down the road and the evidence will still be here for law enforcement to pick up.
"I think of myself and if I came in as a sexual assault survivor, I don't think I'd want to tell my story 50 times," Markgraf said. "Some people just aren't ready for that. The trauma is just to great. So giving people the ability to wait and come in later is super important."
While the SANE nurses focus on providing a safe place for victims, they are also experts on collecting evidence the right way so it can be used in a court of law.
"We've gone through extensive training to provide that extra victim-centered care. We're nurses at heart but we're trained in the evidence collection, providing after care, really sensitive during a really emotional and traumatic event in their life," Ellingson said.
Victim advocates from The Compass Center can also run interference with friends or family members if you don't come to the E.R. by yourself.
"So if they're here and they don't want to report to law enforcement and they've got their mom with them saying you have to report, it's our job to tell mom, 'You know what we're not going to report today. That's not what the survivor wants. So we need to wait for another time until she or he is more comfortable doing this,'" Markgraf said.
Because helpers like Markgraf and Ellingson will always be here when you're ready.
"This is unfortunately a very real public health issue. We need our patients and victims of abuse and assault that they have a place to go. They don't have to suffer in silence," Ellingson said.
Markgraf says her advocates assist more than 120 victims each year at Avera and Sanford Health emergency rooms.
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