Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the designation at the Elizabeth Freeman Center on Thursday.

 

The classification expands a state program which brings Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to provide forensic nursing to treat survivors of domestic abuse.

 

"These are the first people who hear and listen and see someone who has been harmed. They are specially trained and certified professionals skilled in performing quality forensic, legal examines. Should a case go to trial, they are able to testify for that victim," Polito said. 

 

Cheryl Re, associate director of the Adult and Adolescent SANE Program for the Department of Public Health, said a team of some 30 nurses across the state work on a per diem basis in responding to incidents. BMC makes the 28 hospital in the state to be designated and the first in Berkshire County.

 

"We're really thrilled as the designation of Berkshire Medical Center as a SANE site. We really feel it will allow the hospital to provide a higher level of care for all sexual assault patients," Re said.

 

At all times at least one nurse, who has the specialized training, is on call and must be able to respond within an hour. In Western Massachusetts, Regional Coordinator Mary Walz-Watson heads the program for 15 nurses covering six hospitals — Baystate, Mercy, Cooley Dickinson, UMass, Wing Memorial and now BMC.

 

"Our approach to patient care is always trauma informed and based on an empowerment model, which is designed to give sexual assault patients control over what care they choose to have," Re said. "SANEs always respond with a crisis councilor and we are proud to partner with the Elizabeth Freeman Center and their crisis advocates. Anytime we are engaged with the hospital you will be accompanying us."

 

Waltz-Watson added that there is also a partnership with the Berkshire Medical Center's North Adams campus to transport victims to BMC for care and then back.

 

Polito said the designation stemmed from the administration's sexual assault and domestic violence council. That task force consists of some 30 individuals from throughout the state to share best practices and focus on identifying gaps in service. The SANE designation gives the county yet another "tool in the toolbox" for combating the crime.

 

"Bringing SANE to the Berkshires is an important step as we try to break the cycle," Polito said. 

 

In the last decade there were 334 deaths because of domestic abuse and last year there were 2,000 incidents reported to the Department of Public Health, Polito said. Domestic violence is the No. 1 cause of injuries for women. 

 

The Berkshires sees a growing trend related to drug abuse and poverty so "it was very clear to us that there was a need for a SANE program."

 

"In Massachusetts nearly 1 in 6 women and 1 in 20 men have reported experiencing rape, attempted rape, or physical sexual abuse in their lives," Polito said.

 

Polito said the council's first focus is implementing Chapter 260, a state law passed last year to bring "more consistent, coordinated training and education for all people who interact with victims of domestic violence."

 

Polito was joined by Mayor Daniel Bianchi and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier in making the announcement. Also in attendance were District Attorney David Capeless, Police Chief Michael Wynn, many leaders of the Elizabeth Freeman Center, and representatives from Berkshire Medical Center.