ASTOP, Inc. Announces Launch of Local Forensic Nursing Program at Aurora Medical Center – Fond du Lac

ASTOP, Inc. Sexual Abuse Center is excited to announce that Fond du Lac now has its own local Forensic Nursing/SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) program at Aurora Medical
Center – Fond du Lac.

This program, which officially began offering services on October 1st, 2024, provides vital care for survivors of sexual violence, allowing them to receive forensic exams without traveling to another city or county.

Sexual violence remains a pervasive issue. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), an estimated 734,630 people in the U.S. were raped (including threatened, attempted, or completed rape) in 2018. In Wisconsin, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced contact sexual violence. In 2023 alone, ASTOP provided direct services to 326 survivors and reached 9,856 community members through educational workshops.

The launch of the SANE program in Fond du Lac would not have been possible without the dedication of the Aurora Fond du Lac’s team of specialized SANE nurses. This program was also made possible thanks to the advocacy and generous donations of the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund and Ginny Gilmore, in partnership with ASTOP. We also owe a deep debt of gratitude to Linda Selk-Yerges, ASTOP’s former Executive Director, whose vision and tireless efforts in building relationships with key donors paved the way for this program. Linda’s legacy of advocacy and support continues to shape the future of ASTOP and the services we offer to survivors.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to ASTOP’s staff and volunteers for their unwavering dedication to supporting survivors, and to the community for their ongoing commitment to this important cause. Together, we are ensuring that survivors of sexual violence in Fond du Lac have access to compassionate, specialized care, free from the barriers of distance or limited resources.