Lassen Family Services will bring a new addition to the annual Walk-a-Mile event to raise funds for more sexual assault Nurse Examiners. The nonprofit aiding survivors of sexual abuse and assault will host a new 5K color run through Susanville.
The funds raised from the 5K will go to Lassen Resiliency for training Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). The county of over 33,000 people has only 3 to conduct exams and is currently only equipped to care for pediatric survivors.
Currently, if a survivor chooses to participate in an exam following sexual assault due to a lack of local SANE nurses, law enforcement or an advocate has to drive the survivor to Redding or Reno for the examination. Jenny Hoffman with LFS says this only enhances the trauma.
To collect the most evidence, the survivor is asked not to shower, brush their teeth, or remove their clothes until after the exam, creating a prolonged period of discomfort, mental and physical.
With funding local SANE nurses, further victim re-traumatization can be prevented, and more help can be offered to help survivors recover close to home.
The Walk-A-Mile event will take place on April 22nd, with opening ceremonies beginning at 9 am at Memorial Park. Lassen Resiliency
