Law enforcement, prosecutors and victim advocates are working collaboratively with SANEs to respond more sensitively to victims of sexual assault and improve prosecution of these crimes. SANE practitioners help preserve victims' dignity, improve evidence collection for better prosecution and promote community involvement and concern for victims and their families. Victims of sexual assault often find that the traditional way of handling evidentiary exams compounds their trauma. Victims may endure long waiting periods in busy, public emergency rooms where they are not allowed to eat, drink or urinate while waiting for their exam, while other patients' needs are attended to. Also, many doctors and nurses performing the exams have not been trained in medical evidence collection procedures or do not perform them frequently enough to stay proficient.
Some doctors are reluctant to perform the exams for fear of being called in to testify in court.
Standards on forensic evidence collection and maintaining evidence integrity, conducting pediatric exams and interviews, testifying in court and attending to the needs of special populations, such as the elderly and individuals with disabilities, are also included. In 1996, SARS conducted a survey of 86 SANE programs to obtain information about program structure and practice, which is reflected in the new guide. SANE programs are developing rapidly with more than 100 programs now in existence.