Daniel Prince
All the system's emergency rooms have trained professionals certified to examine sexual assault survivors
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is the first in South Carolina to earn the designation as a Sexual Assault Forensic Excellence Level 1 Facility. The designation was awarded by the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network, along with partners at the State Law Enforcement Division, the SC Attorney General’s Office, and the SC Hospital Association. The designation means that all of the system’s emergency rooms have specifically trained medical professionals who are certified to examine survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, whether going to one of the hospitals in Spartanburg, Cherokee, or Union counties. The health system says it sees more than 600 survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence a year. They said if someone is a survivor, they should seek medical attention as soon as they are able.
If you are a victim of sexual assault, the hospital system says there are several steps you should take. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Get to a safe place and call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. When coming into the hospital, they say to let the triage nurse know that you are there to see a sexual assault nurse. Do not shower, bathe, or change your clothing. If possible, do not eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth, or use the bathroom. Do not clean your home or the area where the sexual assault occurred. Don’t avoid seeking medical care because of cost. All patients are seen regardless of their ability to pay. Sexual assault examinations are paid for by the Department of Crime Victim Compensation. For more information, visit www.spartanburgregional.com. Under services, click on emergency, and then find the link for sexual assault and domestic violence.