SANE, Jennifer Degner's Vision Realized
The Global SAK Donation Project
Written by Vanessa Lynch and Jennifer Degner
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The Global SAK Donation Project has a remarkable origin story rooted in the dedication and vision of Jennifer Degner, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) at Methodist Healthcare in San Antonio, Texas, USA. A novel initiative aimed at providing evidence collection swabs and forensic nursing care for survivors of sexual assault in low-resource areas in Africa, the project's journey began when Jennifer crossed ‘e-paths’ with Vanessa Lynch, the director of DNAforAfrica during the Covid era. The two discussed the challenges faced in their respective environments during Covid, notably the shortage of Sexual Assault Kits (SAKs), a situation Vanessa told Jennifer sadly existed outside of Covid, shedding light on the many African regions where access to quality evidence collection and forensic nursing care is so often limited. Jennifer recalls her distress after the realisation of seeing how hundreds of perfectly good, unused SAK items from their 'Texas 100' SAK boxes were discarded. “Every time I disposed of the majority of sealed, unused SAK items in the trash, I realized that they were destined for landfill. But I also recognized that they could be put to use in areas in need, just as they had been during Covid when our supplies ran short," Jennifer recalls.
This stark realization was to become the catalyst that would spark a global movement, now known as the Global SAK Donation Project, “I just had to find a way to get these valuable supplies to Africa, where the need was so urgent!” In response to Jennifer’s idea to repurpose these discarded items and donate them to regions in Africa, Vanessa wasted no time in rallying together a team that would later lay the foundation for the Global SAK Donation Project.
Spanning three continents, the GSD project aimed to stockpile sealed and unused SAK items saved in Texas and find a way to transport them to Africa, where they would distribute them to rape crisis centres in need. The team understood that specialised forensic nurses and doctors would need to oversee the proper collection of samples, and the collected evidence would also need to be analysed and tracked for quality assurance purposes in DNA labs. This end-to-end process would further need to be meticulously documented as part of a research study: enter Prof. Lisa Smith, a Criminologist at Leicester University, UK, known for her work in similar studies in Kenya in the past. When the GSD project was proposed to Lisa, she quickly agreed to join the study which would examine the impact of quality DNA samples on the justice system and survivor confidence in Africa.
Vanessa Lynch and Jennifer Degner discuss how the Global Sexual Assault Project was born, successes so far, and what you can do to help.
Zambia's Commitment: Over 5000 Swabs, 2500 Drying Boxes, 113 Speculums, and 7000 Evidence Seals and Envelopes received in Zambia to date
The first two shipments of SAK items successfully reached Lusaka, Zambia, this year with Innocent Makasa, Ag. State Forensic Analyst at the National Forensic Science and Biometrics Department in Zambia, leading this pivotal phase of the project. Innocent is responsible for documenting the distribution of the swabs and recording them when received back at the laboratory for testing. “The quantity and quality of the samples will be a good indicator of the success of this project,” says Vanessa. “Zambia has been a crucial partner in the Global SAK Donation Project, as it has demonstrated unwavering commitment to this initiative by stepping in to assist with transportation costs, proper documentation, and a commitment to forensic nurse training.”
The team at the Zambia FSL
Inventorying items in Zambia
Somalia Joins the Cause: Preparing to Receive 125 Sealed SAK Boxes
The Global SAK Donation Project's ripple effect of positive change continues to expand its reach, with Somalia now actively participating in this transformative initiative. In a heartening development, Somalia has joined the cause and is poised to receive 125 sealed SAK’s. These Kits contain a diverse array of SAK items, generously donated by Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Crime Lab which had heard of Jennifer’s efforts in Texas. This additional contribution represents a crucial step towards enhancing the capacity for evidence collection and forensic nursing care in Somalia, a region where these resources have been historically scarce. It's a testament to the project's growing influence and the global community's commitment to change. “Somalia's involvement highlights the project's potential to catalyse positive change on a global scale, one SAK at a time,” says Jennifer.
Yasin Farah, Office of the Attorney General Somalia.
Community Involvement and Ongoing Success of the Global SAK Donation Project
The GSD Project's journey towards transforming the landscape of evidence collection and forensic nursing care for survivors of sexual assault extends an open invitation to communities worldwide. The project recognizes that its strength lies not only in the dedication of its core team but also in the support and engagement of concerned individuals and communities. “Their involvement can make a significant difference in this mission. Whether through monetary donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, every effort brings us closer to the goal of expanding access to quality evidence collection and care for survivors in regions in need across Africa. As we look to the future, there are essential aspects of the project that deserve attention. Expanding the project's reach to cover more regions in Africa is a priority, as is fostering partnerships with organizations and individuals who share the same commitment to combating sexual violence," says Vanessa.
Jennifer's vision was for the project to extend quality evidence collection and forensic nursing care to many more individuals in regions in need. “My hope is that with increased donations and support, we will see more regions in Africa receiving supplies and training, ultimately making a difference on a larger scale throughout the region” she says.
Vanessa and Lisa Smith at Leicester Court, where Colin Pitchfork was previously tried and convicted.
Supporting the Global SAK Donation Project: How You Can Make a Difference
There are several meaningful ways in which individuals and organizations can contribute to the success of the Global SAK Donation Project:
Financial Donations: Consider making a financial contribution to the project which will help fund essential aspects of the initiative, such as transportation (courier costs), distribution, and the creation of training resources.
Medical Institutions: Hospitals and healthcare facilities can play a crucial role by redirecting unused sealed SAK items to the project. By doing so, they can ensure that these valuable resources find their way to regions where they are desperately needed.
Training Video Funding: One of the ongoing needs of the project is the creation of a high level training video for forensic nurses. Donations towards this specific initiative will help develop a comprehensive training resource that can empower healthcare professionals and forensic experts in providing quality care and evidence collection.
This ongoing partnership showcases the strength of global collaboration and highlights the potential to significantly enhance the availability of quality evidence collection and forensic nursing care for survivors of sexual assault. The world watches with anticipation as the Global SAK Donation Project continues to progress, proving that when dedicated individuals come together, they can create lasting change and provide hope in the face of adversity. For updates and further information on the Global SAK Donation Project, you can follow their journey on Instagram and stay informed about this inspiring initiative.
For more information visit: https://www.dnaforafrica.com/globalsakdonationproject
Follow: @globalsakdonationproject
Follow: @DNAforAfrica
Vanessa and Jennifer together at ISHI 34 in Denver (the first time they met in person!)