WATCH: SANEs and survivors in the South, a listening session with the Gulf States Newsroom
In partnership with Type Investigations, public health reporter Drew Hawkins spent more than a year investigating the challenges that survivors and nurses in the Gulf South face in accessing trauma-informed forensic care in sexual assault cases. One of the biggest hurdles he discovered was the shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners in the region.
Drew produced a longread feature and an episode of the Gulf States Gumbo on this subject. On Thursday, July 17, the Gulf States Newsroom hosted a virtual discussion of Drew’s reporting — highlighting its impact with survivors, advocates and health care professionals. Drew was joined by community engagement producer Nellie Beckett and a panel of experts, including:
- Sharlotta Sharp, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, a special projects coordinator and state SANE coordinator for Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She is also a TeleSANE for the University of Arkansas Medical Science Systems and a Consultant for the Department of Defense.
- Julie Ford, a survivor of sexual assault and PhD student who studies the experiences of survivors of violence. She also volunteers with local organization Crime Survivors NOLA, who provide a free guide to help people navigate complex systems after violent crime.
- Morgan Lamandre, Esq., the CEO of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response (STAR), a non-profit sexual assault center with three locations in Louisiana. Morgan has been involved with the organization since 2007, beginning as a volunteer hospital advocate and becoming a full-time staff member in 2013.
You can watch the full listening session below.
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
