Reasons for Going to the Hospital

How much will it cost?

Do I have to tell my parents?

What can I expect during the exam?

Evidence Collection Kit: Hospital personnel must follow very strict instructions when collecting evidence. Once opened the kit is not to leave their hands. You will often notice medical staff reading the instructions during the exam. This does not mean that they don't know what they are doing rather, they are trying to ensure the validity of the evidence. Otherwise the kit would have to be thrown out and would be inadmissible in court.

Medical History: A medical history will be taken. The doctor or SANE will ask questions about the assault, health history, menstrual history and use of contraception. Questions about the assault can include time, place, date of attack, number of attackers, threats of violence or reprisal, restraints used, whether the victim douched, bathed, gargled, defecated, urinated, changed clothes, has used drugs or alcohol, experienced a loss of consciousness, if ejaculation occurred and its site, if a condom was used, if objects were inserted in to the vagina, etc.

Blood Samples: Blood will be drawn and a bloodstain card will be prepared to go into the evidence kit. Sometimes blood is collected as needed for other tests such as pregnancy, drugs, etc.

Vaginal Examination: A speculum examination for signs of internal injury and collection of any physical evidence left by the rapist will be done. Traces of semen may be detectable in the vagina and on the cervix for 96 hours.

Physical Evidence: If the survivor chooses to report the rape, a "rape kit" may be used to collect evidence. This may include collection of pubic hairs, head hairs, foreign matter on the body (which could include samples of the rapist's hair, blood or skin), the clothes worn at the time of the assault, and pictures of documentation of any redness, swelling, scrapes, bumps, bruises or other evidence of external injury.

Clothing: If the survivor is still wearing clothing that was worn during the time of assault the survivor may need to leave it as evidence. In the majority of cases, the underwear will be collected and submitted in the evidence kit.

External Injuries: A physical examination will be done to look for bruises, scratches, cuts and other external injuries. The SANE or Police should take pictures of any visible injuries with the victims consent.

Pregnancy Concerns: Area hospitals may prescribe a prophylaxis to prevent pregnancy following a sexual assault. The prophylaxis is estrogen and progestin which when taken in appropriate dosage results in menstruation which prevents a fertilized embryo from implanting. It must be taken within 72 hours of the assault. Usually, four pills are taken - two at the hospital and two taken 12 hours later. It is recommended to take with food due to possible side effects of nausea or vomiting.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): The survivor may receive medications at the hospital or a prescription for treatable diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

Alcohol and Drugs

If the survivor suspects a drug induced assault has occurred, a urine sample should be collected within 96 hours of suspected ingestion of the substance. The hospital should contact law enforcement or the State Police Crime Laboratory to verify where to send the samples. There is specific forensic testing which is necessary to detect single dose levels of the drugs used to facilitate rape. Not all laboratories are equipped for such testing.