Blog author Alana Wall is Canvas Health’s Abuse Response and Prevention Services Supervisor. Prior to joining Canvas Health, Alana was employed at the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault leading efforts to combat sexual violence statewide. Prior roles at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the Minnesota Department of Corrections showcased her commitment to substance abuse treatment, domestic violence programming, and sex offense treatment. With a diverse background, Alana demonstrates unwavering support for victims/survivors, promotes healing, and advocates for systemic change in the fight against sexual violence.
Content Warning: This blog contains references to sexual violence, hospitals, and medical forensic exams.
When TV Meets Reality: What The Pitt Got Right About Sexual Assault Response
As someone whose mom watched ER and who now regularly tunes in to Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med, I’m no stranger to medical dramas. Hospitals, high-stakes emergencies, and emotional patient stories have long been the kinds of shows I gravitate toward. I hadn’t started watching The Pitt yet, though.
That changed when several friends reached out and encouraged me to watch a specific episode they thought would resonate with my work. In the episode “1:00 PM,” a sexual assault survivor arrives at the hospital’s emergency department, and the story centers on her care and how the medical team responds.
Here is what The Pitt portrayed accurately and how it relates to the sexual violence response in Washington County.
What is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)?
A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a specially trained registered nurse who provides medical care, forensic examinations, and emotional support to survivors of sexual violence. These nurses are trained to respond in a trauma-informed way and often work in emergency departments, hospitals, or specialized sexual violence response programs.
You may also hear the term SANE used to refer to a sexual assault nurse examination. Other terms for this exam include a medical forensic exam and, historically, a “rape kit.” While terminology has evolved, these terms all refer to the same process: a comprehensive medical and forensic examination designed to address a survivor’s health and, if they choose, collect evidence.
Sexual Assault Response in Washington County
Much like the hospital depicted in the show, hospitals in Washington County have access to a SANE response. Established in 2002, the HealthPartners Medical Forensic Team provides a 24/7 post-assault care response to four hospitals in the east metro. In Washington County specifically, that includes Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury and Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater.
What Happens During a Medical Forensic Exam
A medical forensic exam is comprehensive, survivor-centered, and can include:
- A medical history and documentation of the assault, often including a survivor’s account in their own words
- A detailed head-to-toe assessment for injuries or pain
- Photographs of injuries
- A genital exam, if the survivor chooses
- Forensic evidence collection, such as swabs for DNA, blood, and urine tests
- Risk assessment and discussion of concerns such as STIs, HIV, or pregnancy
- Safety planning and discharge resources, including connections to advocacy, shelter, transportation, and other support services
In reality, these exams are thorough and can last 2-6 hours to complete, something a single episode of a television show understandably cannot replicate.
Also, in Minnesota, survivors have a choice about how their forensic evidence is handled. Some choose an unrestricted kit, where the evidence is released to law enforcement as part of a report, while others choose a restricted kit, which allows evidence to be collected and stored without immediate law enforcement involvement. This choice allows survivors to preserve evidence while taking the time to decide what next steps feel right for them.
Cost and Access in Minnesota
In Minnesota, medical forensic exams are free of charge to the survivor. Payment is handled through the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs (OJP) via the Minnesota Sexual Assault Examination Payment Program (MSAEPP). This ensures that survivors can access medical care, evidence collection, and support services without worrying about the financial burden.
The Role of Advocacy
This is where my work comes in. My team, Abuse Response & Prevention Services (ARPS), provides services for both primary and secondary victims/survivors of sexual violence in Washington County. We offer a 24/7 crisis line and in-person response for medical forensic exams, meaning an advocate can come to the hospital to support someone during the process—similar to what viewers briefly saw in The Pitt.
Our services include:
- 24/7 sexual violence crisis line
- Hospital accompaniment during medical forensic exams
- Accompaniment during law enforcement interviews and civil, criminal, or family court proceedings
- Assistance with Safe at Home applications
- Help with protective orders and crime victim reimbursement
- Short-term counseling & personalized safety planning
- Connections to community resources and referrals
Just like in the episode, it is always the survivor’s choice of how they want to use advocacy services. Some people want an advocate in the room during the exam. Others prefer that we wait nearby. And some decide they would rather not have advocacy involved at all. We respect all of those choices. Our role is to center the survivor’s needs and decisions.
Advocates can explain survivors’ rights, discuss legal and medical options, and provide emotional support during a deeply overwhelming time. Sometimes support looks like answering difficult questions. Other times it’s as simple as offering grounding conversation—about Netflix, pets, or anything else that helps someone feel a little more present in the moment.
Meeting Immediate Needs
During medical forensic exams, we also provide victim/survivor go-bags. These thoughtfully prepared bags are designed to restore comfort, meet immediate needs, and help survivors regain a sense of control.
Go-bags may include items such as:
- Gift cards
- Hygiene products
- Prepaid TracFones
- Clothing
- Water and snacks
- If someone cannot safely return home after the exam, we can also help arrange temporary hotel shelter and transportation.
Support does not end when the medical forensic exam is finished. If a survivor chooses, our services can continue afterward.
Why Representation Matters
While no television show can fully capture the complexity of responding to sexual violence, I appreciate that The Pitt created space to bring attention to this topic. Moments like this can open the door for conversations about what real support looks like in our communities. And if that conversation helps even one person learn about the resources available to them, or the compassionate professionals ready to help, then it’s a conversation worth having.
