Copper Shores Community Health Foundation is excited to welcome two new Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to the Victim Support team, Nonie Riutta and Courtney Darcy. Both nurses bring deep local roots and love for the Copper Country to their new roles.
Darcy and Riutta were inspired to take on the career by nurses in their families. Darcy was born and raised in Baraga, where she lives with her family today. She has been a nurse for nearly four years and currently works at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. Riutta is also from the Copper Country, having grown up in Laurium and currently residing in Big Traverse. Before retiring, Riutta worked as a nurse at Aspirus for 15 years.
Their shared dedication to patient care will serve them well as they step into the specialized role. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, or SANE nurses, work closely with survivors during a forensic exam. Their primary role is to create a safe and trusting environment for the victim, collecting evidence and bringing medical attention to their immediate medical needs. For Riutta, raising awareness about the realities of sexual assault is a key part of her motivation to serve.
"Sexual assault is very common,” said Riutta. “Especially in the Upper Peninsula. I believe the more awareness we can bring to it, the less prevalent it will be.”
Becoming a SANE nurse is no easy task; rigorous training ensures they’re ready to handle sensitive and complex cases. SANE nurses must complete 300 hours of clinicals and pass live simulation testing with real patients. Darcy completed training in December of 2024, and Riutta is expected to complete her training in December of 2025, taking on cases by January 2026.
For Darcy, the drive to help others has been the foundation of her nursing career.
“Growing up I had a lot of family medical issues and I always wanted to help,” said Darcy. “I want victims to have the justice they desire and deserve.”
Darcy and Riutta’s efforts are part of a collaborative system designed to provide comprehensive care for survivors. Their work is part of Copper Shores Victim Support, where cases are assigned to a multidisciplinary team made up of Victim Advocates from Copper Shores, local law enforcement and Child Protective Services. By working together, this team makes sure no survivor has to navigate recovery alone.
Through this collaboration, Copper Shores ensures survivors receive compassionate, coordinated care every step of the way. Visit the Victim Support page to learn more about the services available to survivors of sexual assault, other crimes and suicide loss.