Getting Care After Sexual Assault
It’s beneficial to seek medical care as soon as you can after sexual assault. Clinicians can treat injuries, prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and give you emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
You can visit any clinician for medical care related to sexual assault. However, only state-designated emergency departments can perform a medical-forensic exam.
A medical-forensic exam is a special exam to:
- Assess your health needs
- Treat any injuries
- Collect evidence that could be used during investigations and prosecutions, if you choose
We can complete a medical-forensic exam within seven days of an assault. After seven days, we will evaluate your case to see if we can still collect evidence. We can collect evidence even if you’re not ready for a police investigation.
To help the SANE nurse collect evidence, try to avoid eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, bathing or washing your clothes.
It is OK if you are not ready for the exam right away. Your choice matters.