The Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act (SASCA), if passed, will help promote survivor safety and access to justice by improving access to Sexual Assault Forensic Exams.
The Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act seeks to:
Expand access to medical forensic services for survivors. Services for sexual assault survivors are not readily available to all communities and populations. SASCA aims to extend Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) services to marginalized communities, including rural, tribal, and student communities, through increased training opportunities and the establishment of a taskforce dedicated to understanding and addressing the needs of sexual assault survivors.
Establish national standards and certification protocol for SANEs. Currently, there are no federal programs that oversee SANE certification, continued education, and national standards. Under SASCA, the Department of Health and Human Services will establish a national training and education program for SANE's nationwide, including rural and tribal communities that historically have limited access to SAFEs.
Establish a resource center for service providers. SASCA will open a new resource center available to all hospitals receiving federal funds. The resource center will support survivor access to SAFE's in all communities, encourage professional training opportunities, and provide a means for sharing emerging trends and best practices.
By supporting the passing of SASCA, you are supporting the development of accessible, specific, and well-resourced medical forensic care for survivors across the nation.
Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen have helped lead the way in protecting survivors. Please call to thank them for their past support, and ask them to support this important act! Use the contact information and the script provided below to reach out.
Senator Ben Cardin
Baltimore Office Tel: 410-962-4436
Capitol Hill Tel: 202-224-4524
Email here.
Senator Chris Van Hollen
Baltimore Office Tel: 667-212-4610
Capitol Hill Tel: 202-224-4654
Email here.
"Survivors need better access to higher-quality medical forensic care. I am speaking up for survivors by encouraging the passing of the Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act (SASCA). This act promotes access to quality medical forensic services, nationwide training and educational opportunities for sexual assault nurse examiners, and critical resources for hospitals. Survivors deserve to feel safe and comfortable when they receive a sexual assault forensic exam. Support SASCA!"
