Vegas Mainly Relied on One Nurse for SANE Exams—Her Death Exposed a Dangerous Gap
The recent death of Jeri Dermanelian, age 64, a veteran sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) based at University Medical Center, has exposed a critical gap in forensic nursing services across Clark County and Las Vegas—an area widely known as the Entertainment Capital of the World and a sex-trafficking hub. Although Dermanelian was frequently referred to as the sole forensic nurse in Southern Nevada, she undeniably carried out the lion's share of sexual assault forensic exams, demonstrating the urgent need for more trained SANE nurses in this region.
For years, Dermanelian's name was synonymous with forensic nursing in Vegas, as reported by local news. Though she was not literally the only SANE nurse, the reality was that she performed most of the exams herself—a fact verified by local news investigations. Her passing in April has brought renewed attention to the shortage of skilled professionals to handle these sensitive and highly specialized cases, especially as sexual assault remains a persistent public health issue throughout Nevada.
By the Numbers: Sexual Assault in Nevada, Clark County, and Las Vegas
- Nevada: According to the Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence, about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
- Clark County: As the most populous county in Nevada, Clark County sees a disproportionate share of the state's reported sexual assaults. Crime data indicates that hundreds of sexual assault cases are reported each year, but the actual incidence is likely much higher given underreporting.
- Las Vegas: In a city that attracts millions of visitors annually, sexual assault rates are higher than the national average - reporting 79.64 per 100,000 in 2017. The Southern Nevada community, including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, often struggles to keep up with the demand for forensic exams and victim support.
Implications for Nursing and Patient Care
With Dermanelian's death, the already strained forensic nursing service is now at even greater risk. Forensic SANE nurses play a pivotal role in evidence collection, documentation, and trauma-informed care—critical steps that can make or break a victim's case and recovery. The lack of available SANE nurses means longer wait times for exams, delayed justice for survivors, and increased risk of losing vital evidence.
SANE Nursing
For those in the field, "SANE nurse" is shorthand sexual assault nurse examiner - a highly specialized, compassionate expert trained to conduct forensic exams after sexual assault. In this article, SANE nurse Leah Helmbrecht discusses her role and experience. “Many people think the hardest part of this job is having to listen to all these horrendous acts of violence a perpetrator inflicted on their victim,” she says. “It's not. The most challenging thing about being a SANE is the frustration of seeing our system fail these victims time and time again," Leah recalls.
>>Learn more about becoming a SANE nurse in our career guide here.
Dermanelian's legacy highlights an urgent need: more SANE nurses must be trained and retained to meet the unique needs of the Las Vegas community.
Podcast Episode
The message is clear: SANE nursing in Vegas is a critical specialty, and the nursing community must rally to fill the void left by a dedicated SANE nurse who was, for too many, the last line of defense for survivors of sexual violence.
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