In 2023, the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) reported 3,536 new survivors of sexual assault sought services from rape crisis centers across the state.

• 1,499 of these survivors were 18 years old or younger.
• 92% of survivors knew their offender.

April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) highlights the importance of educating communities about sexual assault. Some University of South Carolina College of Nursing alumni dedicate their careers to ensuring survivors are cared for, heard, and supported in their healing journeys.

Caring at the Bedside: Mollie Solomon (’20 BSN)

Mollie Solomon dreamed of helping individuals and families directly at the bedside. Today, as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) in Michigan, she collects forensic evidence, administers medication, and provides vital resources, support, and education to survivors. When patients choose to involve law enforcement, Solomon also assists with legal proceedings.

Each forensic exam can take up to three hours, depending on the amount of evidence collected—with the survivor’s consent. "Consent is huge," says Solomon. "Any treatment is up to the patient, so they’re not re-traumatized."

Before graduating from USC Nursing, Solomon was unfamiliar with the SANE role. Though emotionally demanding, she finds the work incredibly rewarding. "SANEs are important because we’ve been trained to collect evidence properly, provide a high level of care, and advocate for our patients," she says.

Researching Risk Perception: Kate Chappell (’19 PhD, ’06 MSN, ’03 BSN)

As part of her faculty practice role, Kate Chappell spent nearly a decade as a forensic health care provider. As a pediatric nurse practitioner, she performed forensic exams and provided follow-up care for her patients.

Chappell’s research investigates how a caregiver’s own childhood experiences influence their perception of sexual abuse risks for children in their care. Her findings reveal that individuals without childhood trauma may underestimate common risks.

Now serving as chair of the college’s Professional Nursing Practice Department, Chappell works with health care providers to understand how adverse childhood experiences and professional training impact child risk assessment. Using Protection Motivation Theory, she studies what motivates providers to be proactive.

Reflecting on her clinical experiences, Chappell shares, "It can take weeks, months, or years for a victim to realize they were victimized, because it’s a hard thing to realize about oneself. They didn’t have control."

Advancing Standards of Care in South Carolina

In 2019, the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) reported only 18 certified SANEs in South Carolina.

Recognizing the need for improvement, the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network introduced the Sexual Assault Forensic Excellence (SAFE) designation system in 2022. SAFE establishes statewide standards for the care of sexual assault survivors and strengthens partnerships between hospitals and agencies to expand access to services across South Carolina.