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About Us

Central Dakota Forensic Nurse Examiners

About Us

We are here to help you when you are not sure what to do next.

We are here to work as part of a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
We perform a medical forensic exam for patients who are reporting a sexual assault or rape in the Bismarck, Minot, Dickinson & Williston communities & their surrounding areas.

We advocate for the medical needs of sexual assault victims.

The first community based Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner or SANE program began as part of the Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) in May 2001, when a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) had finalized protocols and began looking for funding for SANE nurses. In August of 2002, the AARC received a Bush Grant for a SANE program and STOP funding to provide training to 6 Registered Nurses.

In 2003, those 6 nurses started performing the Medical/Forensic exams in the Bismarck/Mandan region.

In December 2013, the SANE program changed their name to the Central Dakota Forensic Nurse Examiners (CDFNE) and gained 501c(3) status. The CDFNE has expanded into Minot, Dickinson, and Williston. These programs cover a total of 23 Counties in western and central North Dakota, with a total of 27 nurses are currently trained to practice as SANE, in Western North Dakota.

 

Our Mission

To provide professional, compassionate, culturally competent, and timely collection of forensic evidence for our patients. We respond to the local emergency department in the event a victim of rape presents.

What is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)?

  • Provides services in a manner that avoids further trauma to the sexual assault survivor in the healthcare environment.
  • Provides a timely medical/legal exam to collect forensic evidence according to state and national protocols.
  • Provides a consistent caregiver throughout the forensic examination.
  • Provides consistent discharge instructions and referrals for follow-up care and counseling.
  • Operates as part of the community Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), along with Law Enforcement and Advocacy.
  • Provides 24-hour services
  • The International Association of Forensic Nurses website has several more resources here.

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CDFNE