Still Waters Center

So amazing and excited to see the future of sexual assault care improvement in Kentucky!

Grooming is now a crime in Kentucky. We don’t have to wait for a child to be harmed before we act.

During this week's KASAP training, participants learned how to recognize grooming behaviors and respond when concerns arise.

Some key takeaways:
- Trust your concerns.
- Report suspected grooming.
- Collaborate with your multidisciplinary team to ensure the child receives Children’s Advocacy Center services and a complete, coordinated response.

Thank you to everyone who continues strengthening Kentucky’s response to child sexual abuse through education, collaboration, and action.

If you have questions or want more information from yesterday's training, please contact KASAP's Chief Policy Officer Jenna Cassady at [email protected]

🎟️ TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Help us to grow community awareness of available services and increase sexual assault nurse availability throughout central Kentucky!

Click here for tickets!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985962007826?aff=oddtdtcreator

Sponsorships also available!

Restoring Hope Gala This special night brings our community together to support survivors of sexual violence through awareness, compassion, and action.

The Kentucky Board of Nursing is seeking an experienced and passionate forensic nurse leader to serve as the Statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

This newly established position offers a unique opportunity to help shape and strengthen Kentucky’s statewide response to sexual assault by expanding access to high-quality, trauma-informed forensic nursing services across all regions of the Commonwealth.

The Statewide SANE Coordinator will lead development and implementation of a statewide SANE program utilizing a regional model to support Kentucky hospitals, increase SANE workforce capacity, enhance collaboration among healthcare and advocacy partners, and improve access to care for survivors of sexual assault.

Key Responsibilities Include:
Developing and coordinating Kentucky’s statewide SANE strategic plan
SANE workforce development, training, mentorship, and preceptor programs
Collaborating with hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors, advocacy organizations and policymakers
Promoting best practices in forensic nursing and trauma-informed care
Monitoring statewide access, utilization, and quality metrics

Minimum Qualifications:
Active, unrestricted Kentucky RN license
SANE-A and SANE-P certifications
BSN required
Minimum of five years of nursing experience, including emergency, forensic, or trauma care
Experience performing sexual assault examinations

Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Nursing, Public Health, or related field
Experience with statewide or multi-site program implementation
Strong collaboration and leadership skills

This position will operate in a hybrid work environment and requires statewide travel.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest to: Cortney.Powers@KY .Gov

https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/lawmakers-pass-new-legislation-to-expand-access-to-sexual-assault-nurse-examiners

Kentucky lawmakers pass new legislation to expand access to sexual assault nurse examiners statewide April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and Kentucky lawmakers unanimously passed a new law aimed at strengthening protections for survivors.

This is absolutely amazing! Thankful to those advocating for this!

The State Senate has just passed House Bill 134, which increases access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs). Now it just needs the Governor's signature to get over the finish line!

https://www.wkyt.com/2026/04/01/kentucky-bill-aiming-improve-access-sexual-assault-nurse-examiners-heads-governors-desk/

This is so important to support!

Kentucky faces sexual assault nurse examiner shortage, impacting rural communities Amid a statewide sexual assault nurse examiner shortage, long-term SANE Kristy Schwetman explained why there is a shortage, the importance of SANEs and why she continues to do the job.

Great learning opportunity!!

Registration is now open for KASAP’s e-learning Legal Advocacy Course!

This online course is designed for advocates who support survivors of sexual violence as they navigate Kentucky’s legal systems. It is especially geared toward advocates at Kentucky r**e crisis centers, but other professionals working with survivors are welcome to enroll.

Learn more and register:
kasap.org/now-enrolling-legal-advocacy-course/

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Sharing very exciting news!

Thankful for the community advocating for this patient population 🙏

Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Rebecca Raymer, HB 134 moves Kentucky closer to ensuring survivors can access timely, trauma-informed forensic and medical care.

HB 134 addresses a critical gap in Kentucky’s response to sexual violence: inconsistent access to trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs). SANEs are specially trained nurses who provide comprehensive medical and forensic care to survivors, yet access to their expertise varies widely across the Commonwealth.

The bill establishes statewide coordination to better connect hospitals and SANEs, reduce professional isolation, and improve survivor access to care. HB 134 builds on the findings of the HCR 20 study sponsored by Rep. Raymer, which identified gaps in SANE availability and the need for stronger coordination statewide.

KASAP is deeply grateful to Rep. Raymer for her leadership in advancing HB 134 and standing up for survivors, and it has been an honor to be invited to the table throughout this process.

For more information, contact Jenna Cassady, Chief Policy Officer at KASAP, at [email protected].