TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — According to the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, 1 in 6 women in Florida will suffer a sexual assault during their lives.
That's why nurses from around the state are training this week to be the first responders for women who've gone through the unthinkable.
Michelle Lavey along with 11 other nurses are training to be a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners also known as "SANE," through the Florida Council against Sexual Violence.
"It is very much a women issue, and so this is a way for me to with my flexibility and time to just be able to help out," said Lavey.
Being a SANE nurse is intense and sometimes traumatic, but Lavey, a retired Air Force Nurse Practitioner thinks her military background can help.
"My military background of being able to think on your feet, being able to expect the unexpected," said Lavey.
According to the Florida Council against Sexual Violence there are only three certified SANE nurses in Leon County and about 40 across the state.
"Most of these individuals are nurses and have other jobs so this in an extra job for them taking calls at all hours of the day and night," said Chris-Tena Albers, Director of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program.
Albers is thankful there are people like Lavey want to take the training to help increase the number of SANE nurses in Florida.
"It's not about the money as much as I still have something contribute," said Lavey.
After the 12 nurses finish training this week they will need to spend 300 hours shadowing another SANE nurse before becoming fully certified.
