A nurse is assisting a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) with the care of a client who has experienced sexual assault. The nurse should identify which of the following as the role of the SANE?

A. The SANE does not directly request police involvement; their role is to provide forensic evidence collection and medical care while supporting the client’s choices. Law enforcement involvement depends on the client’s consent and legal requirements. B. A key role of the SANE is to provide factual, expert testimony in legal proceedings regarding the evidence collected during the examination. This helps ensure that the findings are accurately presented in court and supports the legal process without acting as an advocate or attorney. C. While protecting the client from further harm is part of nursing care, the SANE specifically focuses on forensic evaluation and documentation rather than general protective actions. Safety is addressed, but the legal testimony role is the distinguishing responsibility. D. The SANE cannot require the client to report the assault to the police; reporting is voluntary unless mandated by state law. Respecting client autonomy is essential in sexual assault care.