FAQs + Definitions

Advocates are trained professionals who provide victims of trauma with confidential support. Advocates can provide victims with information, emotional support and referrals to other resources. They can walk you through the various systems you may encounter, including the criminal justice system, legal system, medical system, child protection and safety system, and health and human services. Advocates may also be called victim advocates, confidential advocates or victim service providers. If you choose a full law enforcement report, you may be contacted by another kind of advocate who works for the county’s victim assistance program, sometimes called a victim/witness coordinator or a victim/witness specialist. This court-based advocate will provide you with resources and help you navigate the criminal justice process but is not confidential.

DNA is the material found in cells that determines characteristics such as eye, hair and skin color. Each person’s DNA is different, except for identical twins. This means that DNA can be used to accurately identify a perpetrator, similar to the way we use fingerprints. DNA evidence can be collected from blood, saliva, sweat, urine, skin tissue and semen. That’s why it’s important to try to avoid bathing, cleaning your fingernails or urinating until after a sexual assault forensic exam has been performed.

CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System. It is a state and national database that houses DNA from individuals related to crimes. If an offender’s DNA is found by a crime lab when they are processing a Sexual Assault Kit (SAK), it will typically be entered into CODIS.

Consent is an active, voluntary and informed agreement between participants to engage in a specific activity. In the context of sexual activity, consent can be communicated verbally, physically, or through a combination of both, and it must be given without manipulation, coercion, pressure or threats of force. Consent is required for each act, must be mutual, enthusiastic, and ongoing throughout the experience, and can be revoked at any time for any reason. Giving consent to one activity does not mean consenting to other activities or the same activity in the future. Consent cannot be given if a person is incapacitated due to drugs, alcohol or other conditions, or if they are under the age of 16 in the state of Nebraska.

Consent also applies beyond sexual activity, including agreements about personal boundaries, physical touch, sharing personal information or collecting biological samples (e.g., DNA). Every individual has the right to provide, deny or withdraw consent at any time without fear of harm or retribution. Clear communication and respect for boundaries are essential to ensuring that consent is always present, understood and respected.

Agencies, advocates or services (e.g. a hotline) identified as confidential cannot share any information a client discloses to them. Exceptions to confidentiality are rare, but typically include situations where someone is making threats to harm themselves or others.

A sexual assault forensic exam is a medical exam conducted by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) to collect possible DNA evidence or other evidence from the victim’s body, clothes and other personal belongings after a sexual assault. The exam gives the victim the option to safely store DNA evidence or other evidence if they ever want to report the assault to law enforcement and pursue legal action against the perpetrator. The exam also includes additional important medical care and treatment for the victim, such as care for sexually transmitted infections, emergency contraception for pregnancy, and follow-up resources.

A Sexual Assault Kit (SAK), also known as a rape kit, is evidence collected by a SANE during a sexual assault forensic exam. It typically includes evidence from the areas of the victim’s body that were part of the sexual assault and that may have the suspect’s sperm, saliva or hair on it.  The kit may also include clothing the victim was wearing and other items.

A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a Registered Nurse who has received special training so that they can provide comprehensive care to sexual assault victims. In addition, they are able to conduct a sexual assault forensic exam and may provide expert testimony if a case goes to trial.

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a bacterial or viral infection passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal or oral contact. STIs can be transmitted whether this contact was consensual or not. STIs can infect a person of any age or gender. Although the signs may vary, when an STI starts showing symptoms, it’s called a sexually transmitted disease, or STD.