Medical Advocacy

Our advocates provide 24-hour one-on-one support/assistance.

For all survivors of sexual assault, we will accompany you to your Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE). SANE(s) are done by trained and compassionate nurses who collect forensic evidence after someone is sexually assaulted. We will remain engaged to help answer any questions and provide any additional support. 

Ozaukee County has a SANE team at Ascension Columbia St. Marys – Mequon (13111 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, WI 53097) in their Emergency Room Department. It can be accessed 24-hours a day. 

Wisconsin’s SAFE Fund: The SAFE Fund can reimburse health care providers for the cost of a forensic medical exam for victims of sexual assault. It is the responsibility of the health care provider to request reimbursement from the SAFE Fund. They must submit a form to the Department of Justice. The health care provider may not bill the victim or the family of the victim for the cost of the SANE exam. If a victim receives a bill they can contact the health care provider and ask them to submit the bill to the SAFE Fund. The SAFE Fund can be used when the victim:

• Does not wish to report the crime to law enforcement
• Does not wish to cooperate with law enforcement
• Does not wish to submit the bill to their insurance provider
• Does not wish to submit a bill or any portion of bill to other available payer sources (i.e. patient, guarantor, guardian, etc.)