Nashville Expands Services for Rape Victims

NASHVILLE, TN — Victims of rape and sexual assault will have more options in the aftermath of their attach under an agreement between the health department, the police and the Sexual Assault Center.

Currently, all rape kit testing is conducted at Metro General Hospital. Soon, however, victims will have the option to go instead to SAC, where trained medical personnel will be available to conduct the exams.

"We know 90 to 95 percent of rape survivors don't need a hospital," Tim Tohill, President of the Sexual Assault Center told WSMV. "So one option is to come here and receive the same quality of care, by the same highly-trained nurses."

The agreement is a result of Mayor Megan Barry's creation of a team to change Metro's approach to rape and sexual assault to a more "survivor-centered" method.

Other likely changes include offering rape exams in more area hospitals.

The S.A.C. will take on the therapy and advocacy needs of victims.

The non-profit organization plans to have its new facility up and running within the next 6 months, according to the TV station.