MEDICAL CARE

What to expect if you go to a hospital?

If you choose to go to the emergency department:

It may be difficult explaining your medical needs to the person checking you in. The Center can send an advocate to be with you at the hospital. The advocate can provide emotional support, crisis intervention, information, referrals, and help you understand your rights and options.

Emergency departments are often busy. It may be some time before you are treated. The hospital should provide a quiet area for you to wait. You may want to notify a friend or relative for support. If you plan on pressing charges against the person who assaulted you, you may want to ask a friend/relative to bring you a full change of clothes. (Law enforcement may want to take the clothes you are wearing to be examined for evidence.)

You will be asked these questions:

Why are you here?

Where did the assault happen?

What is your name, address, age, and occupation?

If you would like an advocate present, ask the hospital to call the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. Or call our crisis line: (520) 327-7273 or 1-800-400-1001

THE SEXUAL ASSAULT MEDICAL FORENSIC EXAM AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION

What Is A Medical-Forensic Exam?        

In Pima County, you may complete a medical-forensic exam at Tucson Medical Center and Northwest Medical Center (located on La Cholla). The exam is a comprehensive medical exam designed to make certain the victim is not physically hurt. The examiner also assesses and documents injuries associated with the assault and collects possible evidence. Due to the violent nature of the crime, it is important that evidence be collected as soon as possible. The medical-forensic exam can be done up to five days (120 hours) after the assault. You have the right to refuse any or all parts of the exam. The examiner will collect the clothing you had on at the time of the assault and will document any injuries you may have received. The evidence collected may be used in investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Can any healthcare provider perform this exam?

No. A medical-forensic exam is a comprehensive medical exam performed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SANE/SAFE) who is a specially trained Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician’s Assistant or Physician with advanced educational and clinical preparation.

Why would you need a Medical Forensic Exam?

If law enforcement determines that a medical forensic exam might benefit their investigation, they might request that you have one - although the decision is still up to you. Also, if you have not decided to report but would like to have your injuries documented and have evidence collected immediately following an assault, the medical forensic exam can be done and may be used at a later date, in case you decide to report.

Do I have to report today?

No. A sexual assault is a traumatic event.  Some victims are unable to decide whether they want to cooperate with law enforcement in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault. If you need additional time to decide whether to pursue your case, you may have the evidence collected as soon as possible without deciding to initiate a report.  Because forensic evidence can be lost as time progresses, we encourage you to get the medical forensic exam within 120 hours (5 days).

How Do You Request A Medical-Forensic Exam?

Contact The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 1-800-400-1001 or (520) 327-7273.

Report the assault to hospital emergency room staff. All hospital personnel are required by law to report to law enforcement if a sexual assault victim/survivor comes to the emergency room for treatment resulting from a sexual assault. However, victims/ survivors are not required to speak with law enforcement if they do not want to.

Emergency department staff should dispatch a Sexual Assault Resource Service (SARS) Advocate to provide emotional support to you during your hospital visit. Be sure to ask the Emergency Department staff to contact a SARS Advocate if one has not been called.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEDICAL FORENSIC EXAM

How Much Will The Exam Cost Me?

The medical-forensic exam you receive from the SANE is provided at no cost to you; however there may be costs related to the medical care provided by the emergency department staff. These costs might include: labs, tests and medications to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), including HIV. The advocate or SANE can arrange for you to speak with emergency department staff if you have questions about billing.

Can I Get An Exam After 120 Hours (5 Days)?

In most cases, the answer is no. Research has shown that after 120 hours, most evidence on our bodies is destroyed.

What You Need To Know About Evidence:

• Over time, evidence is lost, begins to degrade, or becomes contaminated and is difficult or impossible to process. After a certain point, typically around 120 hours (5 days after an assault), most experts believe that little or no useful evidence will be collected during a medical-forensic exam.
• Even when a medical-forensic exam is performed immediately after a sexual assault, sometimes there isn’t evidence that can be collected.
• Eating, drinking, smoking, bathing, combing your hair, and changing clothes are all activities which may destroy evidence.

How Long Does The Exam Take?

The length of the exam varies from person to person.  The exam itself usually takes at least 2 hours.

What Is Involved In The Exam?

Your body is examined very thoroughly from head to toe.

The SANE/SAFE may perform the following during the medical-forensic exam:

• Obtain a detailed history of the assault or abuse.
• Provide a detailed head-to-toe examination.
• Perform a detailed genital examination, which may include an examination with a speculum.
• Collect biological or trace evidence from your body.

What If I Don’t Want A Medical-Forensic Exam?

You can call the Center Against Sexual Assault’s crisis line for other options at 1-800-400-1001 or (520) 327-7273.

Call your physician or a local medical clinic (listed in the phone book) for medical care. Doctors and other medical personnel are mandated to report to law enforcement. However, victims/survivors do not have to talk with law enforcement if they do not want to. We recommend that you receive immediate medical care and treatment.

CALL THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT’S 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE FOR MORE INFORMATION (520) 327-7273 / 1-800-400-1001

Back to Table of Contents