The sexual assault forensic exam research initiative (safe research initiative) is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 40723

The Office on Violence Against Women awarded the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences a $1.496 million cooperative agreement on October 1, 2025, under the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Training and Services program (CFDA 16.064) to design and conduct research on sexual assault nurse examiners and medical forensic exam services and capacity.

The recipient will research the availability of and patient access to trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) and other providers who perform medical forensic exams; facilities providing sexual assault medical forensic care and their staffing coverage; barriers to accessing such care; state requirements, minimum standards, and protocols for SANEs; SANE training availability; the availability of sexual assault victim advocates at exam locations; the annual cost of conducting sexual assault forensic exams; funding opportunities for SANE training and continuing education; and the prevalence of sexual assault advocates at facilities providing such exams. The Office on Violence Against Women will use the research findings for a report to Congress, briefing materials, and a public webpage.

Performance runs through September 30, 2027, with place of performance in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Training and Services program supports regional SANE training programs, instructor salaries, and training and technical assistance to increase access to trained SANEs and Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Examiners (SAFEs).

The award recipient will design, conduct, and share with OVW research on the following: the availability of, and patient access to, trained sexual assault nurse examiners (sanes) and other providers who perform medical forensic exams (mfes) or sexual assault forensic examinations; facilities where sexual assault medical forensic care is available, including staffing coverage; barriers to accessing sexual assault medical forensic care; state requirements, minimum standards, and protocols for sanes; information about training available to sanes; the availability of sexual assault victim advocates at locations where such exams are provided; the annual cost of conducting safes; information on funding opportunities for sane training and continuing education; and the availability of sexual assault advocates at locations providing safes (see 34 U.S.C. 40723(d)). The research collected will be used by OVW in a report to congress, briefing materials, and a public webpage on ovws website.