Our mission at MFE is to provide sexual assault victims with expert, trauma-informed care by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) around the clock.

Our vision is to create a victim-centered, community based program that focuses on eliminating barriers to accessing sexual assault care, unburdening victims and bridging gaps in care.

Based in the Mid-Michigan region, MFE strives to address barriers to care such as excessive distance to exam locations and lack of transportation. In some areas served by MFE, it may take a victim multiple hours to reach an exam location where trained SANEs are available. To alleviate this, MFE has created a mobile/travel program. Traditionally, victims have been required to travel in order to recieve care, but the SANEs employed by MFE will instead travel to the established exam location closest to the victim. Exam location sites include shelters, emergency rooms, clinics, advocacy centers, and other community spaces.

MFE believes that victims face a variety of undue burdens when seeking care after an assault. In addition to distance and transportation other common barriers include long wait times in ER settings, restrictive business hours at pharmacies, the hassle of follow-up care being located at multiple locations, exorbitant costs, and many more.

The care provided by MFE is catered to be as streamlined as possible. The SANEs will bring medications and equipment to the exam location site and complete all aspects of care, including lab draws, at the time of the exam. To further increase accessibility, all services provided by MFE will be at no cost to the victim.

MFE is continually working to establish partnerships between MFE and existing community organizations in order to increase the number of available exam location sites and the services offered. More location sites for SANE exams will allow for an increased number of sexual assault victims to access services and receive valuable care.

The primary objective of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is to ensure that victims are safe, healthy, and validated of their experiences. Assessing and reassuring victims after a sexual assault that their bodies are healthy and normal is often a very important step in their healing journey. We want to help as many victims in this way as possible.