Every Month is Sexual Violence Awareness Month: Getting Medical Attention

Immediately after a sexual assault has been committed, the most important thing is for the victim to get to a safe place. Whether it be the victim’s home, a friend’s home or with a family member, immediate safety is what matters most.

When a feeling of safety has been achieved, it's vital for the victim to receive medical attention, regardless of his/her decision to report the crime to the police. For the victim’s health and self-protection, it's important to be checked and treated for possible injuries, even if none are visible.

This includes testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as receiving preventative treatments that may be available, depending upon the local response and resources. For instance, medications to prevent STIs and pregnancy and protect against HIV transmission may be offered.

In addition to receiving medical attention, victims are encouraged to receive a forensic examination. This exam is important because preserving DNA evidence can be key to identifying the perpetrator in a sexual assault case, especially those in which the offender is a stranger. DNA evidence is an integral part of a law enforcement investigation that can build a strong case to show that a sexual assault occurred and to show that the defendant is the source of biological material left on the victim’s body. Victims have the right to accept or decline any or all parts of the exam; however, it's important to remember that critical evidence may be missed if not collected or analyzed.

Victims should make every effort to save anything that might contain the perpetrator’s DNA; therefore a victim should not:

• Bathe or shower
• Use the restroom
• Change clothes
• Comb hair
• Clean up the crime scene
• Move anything the offender may have touched

Even if the victim has not yet decided to report the crime, receiving a forensic medical exam and keeping the evidence safe from damage will improve the chances that the police can access and test the stored evidence at a later date.

Learn more about the importance of preserving and collecting forensic evidence and the importance of DNA in a sexual assault case.

In Schenectady, victims should call the 24-Hour Rape Crisis Hotline at 518-346-2266, where a highly trained and compassionate advocate will explain the process and could accompany the victim through the evidence collection process.  [Outside of Schenectady, NY, to find a local hospital or healthcare facility that is equipped to collect forensic evidence, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE)]. 


The following is a very brief description of what to expect during a forensic medical exam or "rape kit". Remember to ask questions as you go along if you don't understand something and remember you can refuse any part of the exam if you choose.

• You should try not to use the bathroom, eat, or drink before the exam because this may interfere with some aspects of evidence collection.
• You must give written consent to have the exam performed.
• You'll be asked to give a general medical history (i.e. current medications, past illnesses etc...)
• You'll be asked to give a "sexual assault/abuse history" which is a detailed description of the assault.
• If you're wearing clothing you wore during the assault you may be asked to give it to the nurse as evidence.
• The nurse will take various "samples" from you (such as fingernail scrapings, hair standards, oral swabs etc...) this is for evidence collection and to establish a difference between your DNA and any other that is found.
• If you think you were given a "drug" used to facilitate a rape or sexual assault the nurse will collect a urine sample. Depending on the time lapsed since the assault, the nurse may also advise the collection of blood.
• The nurse will offer you emergency contraception and medications that may help to prevent contraction of sexually transmitted diseases.
• The final stage of the exam is a vaginal/penile exam in which the nurse will check for injuries and evidence.

(c) Copyright 2014 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.

For more information on what to do if you or someone else is sexually assaulted in New York State, click HERE.

Sources:  RAINN.org,  Moving to End Sexual Assault,
New York State Dept. of Health Sexual Violence Services
(c) Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.