After a Sexual Assault

Assess your physical safety. Reach out to support systems if they can assist you in reaching physical safety.

Know that what happened to you was not your fault.

It’s important to get medical attention. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of STIs and pregnancy.

Within six days of a sexual assault, you have the option to undergo a sexual assault forensic examination. A specialized forensic nurse will perform the exam and offer medication that prevents pregnancy and certain sexually transmitted infections.

Steps you can take to seek medical attention:

— Visit an emergency room nearest to your location.

— Visit the Salt Lake Family Justice Center. Call their 24-hour crisis line at (801) 537-8600 or +1 (855) 992-2752.

If you’d like to discuss the differences or need more information about if these options are best for you (and your healing process), call the Rape Recovery Center at (801) 467-7282 or Utah’s 24 Hour Sexual Violence Crisis Line at (801) 736-4356 /Español (801) 924-0860.

This exam is covered by the Utah Office for Victims of Crime in accordance with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). What happened was not your fault, and the financial cost of this exam is not your responsibility.

The Rape Recovery Center provides medical accompaniment and advocacy for victims at any hospital in Salt Lake County, Tooele County, the Salt Lake Family Justice Center, and the Utah State Correctional Facility.

How the process works for a forensic exam:

When a victim of sexual assault arrives at the emergency room, hospital personnel will call a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), who will dispatch a Mobile Response Team advocate. Advocates on this team are certified crisis counselors and hold confidentiality*.

Advocates remain with the victim before, during, and after the medical interview and examination to explain procedures, answer questions, and advocate for the victim.

Advocates act as liaisons between medical staff, law enforcement, and any of the victim’s family or friends who are present. They may assist with logistical or other advocacy concerns pertaining to the victim’s return to a safe place following the exam.

In all cases involving victims 13 years or younger, services are offered through Primary Children’s Medical Center and their Center for Safe and Healthy Families.

*Although these advocates are Confidential Communicators through the Confidential Communications Act (78-3c) of 1994, they are still subject to mandatory reporting laws. Mandatory reporting laws usually affect those younger than 18 years of age, those older than 65, and individuals with specific disabilities.

If you underwent a forensic exam at a local hospital or clinic, please fill out a short questionnaire to provide feedback on your experience.

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