Victims of sexual assault endure a two and a half hour drive to Reno before evidence can be collected in what's known as a rape kit. The victim cannot shower, change clothes, use the bathroom, eat or drink before the examination takes place at a specialized clinic.
Paola Magana of the Winnemucca Domestic Violence Services (WDVS) said the long trip to collect evidence is a hardship which revictimizes sexual assault victims at a time in which they are extremely vulnerable.
"It's an additional trauma," said Magana.
Last month, four sexual assault victims made the trip to Reno, and five victims chose not to go.
Magana was recently hired to coordinate and implement a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in Winnemucca. The SART requires cooperation among law enforcement, prosecuters, hospitals, the doctors and nurses who perform the exams, and advocates.
Tiffany Stickney, director for WDVS, said details on how the SART will take shape are still in the works as it is very early in its implementation. A meeting with all stakeholders was scheduled for later this month.
The WDVS received a $50,000 grant from the Sexual Assault Services Program, which is a federally-funded program through the U.S. Attorney General's Office. While other grants will assist with the program, this grant will be used for the extensive training Magana must undertake as part of the SART, and for her time in coordinating with other agencies.
Magana also works as one of the Spanish-speaking advocates at WDVS.[[In-content Ad]]
