A young woman seeking care at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center on the Fourth of July became the focal point of a detailed depiction of a sexual assault forensic exam, also known as a rape kit exam, in the latest episode of HBO’s “The Pitt.” The storyline, featured in Episode 7, “1:00 P.M.,” aimed to illuminate the process and resources available to survivors, according to show writers.
The episode centers on Ilana, played by Tina Ivlev, who was assaulted by a male friend at a barbecue. Rather than focusing on the details of the assault itself, the narrative emphasizes the medical procedure and support systems available to her. Charge Nurse Dana Evans, portrayed by Katherine LaNasa, leads the exam as the department’s certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE).
The writing team, including Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman, collaborated with consultants from the UCLA Health Rape Treatment Center and Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) to ensure a realistic and sensitive portrayal. “We wanted to highlight the very important and incredible work of a SANE, especially in the department setting,” Pierre-Geyfman said. “And we also wanted to spot the bravery it takes for a survivor to come forward, let alone do a rape kit.”
The episode meticulously details the steps involved in a SANE exam, from securing privacy in the busy emergency department to the collection of evidence. Dana explains to a recent nursing school graduate, Emma, and implicitly to the audience, that a SANE performs forensic exams, collects evidence for potential police investigation, and provides support and resources. Ilana is informed she can pause the exam at any time and is not immediately required to develop a decision about reporting the assault to law enforcement.
The process involves changing into a hospital gown, careful packaging of the patient’s clothing as evidence, and a thorough examination of the body for injuries. A black light is used to detect the presence of bodily fluids, and swabs are taken from various areas. Throughout, Dana emphasizes that the exam does not define Ilana and assesses her comfort level with each step.
An advocate from PAAR arrives to provide information about additional resources and support services, regardless of whether Ilana chooses to complete the exam or file a police report. The episode highlights that the decision to pursue legal action can be made later, and the exam itself does not become part of the patient’s permanent medical record.
The storyline also serves to explore Dana Evans’s emotional arc. Having been physically assaulted by a patient in a previous season, Dana is portrayed as more guarded and focused on her own safety, while still striving to provide compassionate care. “With Dana’s arc and her own assault last season, she’s definitely calcified a little this season,” Pierre-Geyfman explained. “She’s trying to create a little bit of distance between her and her patients, and is really trying to prioritize her nurse’s safety.”
The episode concludes with Ilana expressing her reluctance to continue the exam, stating, “He’s my friend…It was just a dumb…he was drunk. He didn’t mean—it didn’t mean anything.” This pause in the process will be addressed in the following episode, leaving Ilana’s decision and the outcome of the exam unresolved.
Katherine LaNasa, who portrays Dana Evans, consulted with professionals at the UCLA Health Rape Treatment Center to prepare for the role, emphasizing the importance of portraying the process accurately and with sensitivity. LaNasa noted that her character’s own experience with assault informs her approach to Ilana’s case, and that Dana’s hypervigilance stems from a lack of justice in her own situation.
