ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (WGNO) — On Sunday, March 24, Louisiana legislators together with the St. Paul Legislative Delegation. Tammany wrote a letter through which they stated that they might “exploit all options available in the Legislature” to stop the newly arrived St. Patrick’s Parish coroner. Christopher Tape’s Tammany from eliminating parish sexual assault testing program.
In a letter addressed to the president of the parish of St. Tammany Mike Cooper and St. Parish Council. Tammany state legislators wrote that they proceed to call for Tape’s resignation after he “unilaterally decided to terminate the Sexual Assault Nurse Emergency Program (SANE) and its employees.”
The tape met with no opposition last fall, after the present coroner of St. Tammany, Charles Preston, has announced his retirement.
Lawmakers from the Northshore Legislative Delegation said Tape was unsuitable for the job due to child sexual abuse allegations made against him greater than 20 years ago.
Sunday’s letter said the SANE program could be discontinued when Tape takes office at midnight on March 24.
The letter states that the coroner’s office is liable for collecting evidence in sexual assault cases.
“It is essential that examinations are carried out by trained specialists and that SANE nurses are highly qualified in the procedures necessary to ensure effective prosecution of perpetrators,” the letter reads.
The letter also cites a Louisiana law that states: “The coroner or his designee shall interview all alleged victims of a sex crime. The coroner may select a hospital or health care provider identified as a lead entity for sexual assault investigations in the regional plan required by RS 40:1300.41 as the designee to conduct a forensic medical examination.”
Legislators state that one hospital within the parishes under the parish of St. Tammany was asked to select a coroner for the program.
The letter also includes a press release from the St. Parish Coroner’s Office. Tammany stating that it’s liable for providing services under the SANE program.
Lawmakers said the choice to discontinue the SANE program at St. Tammany sends a chilling message to survivors of sexual assault and perpetuates a “culture of silence and impunity around sexual violence.”
“Shutting down the SANE program in St. Tammany will leave thousands of survivors without access to highly trained medical examiners. “The decision to discontinue the SANE program is a grave disservice to survivors of sexual assault in these parishes,” the letter reads.
The letter was signed by Senators Beth Mizell, Patrick McMath, Bob Owen and Bill Wheat, in addition to Representatives Stephanie Berault, Kim Carver, Peter Egan, Jay Galle, Brian Glorioso and Mark Wright.
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