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After experiencing sexual assault, getting a rape kit may feel like an incredibly daunting and intimidating experience. This is perfectly valid and okay to feel scared and uncertain after such a traumatic experience. You don’t have to get a kit if you don’t want to, but it could possibly help local law enforcement identify and prosecute the assailant. If you have some questions about this process, you are not alone -- scroll through this list and see if these answers can ease your worries about the process.
Steps
Question 3 of 10:
Is there anything I need to do beforehand?
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Don’t take a shower or bath. It’s completely understandable if you want to wash yourself off after everything that’s happened, but try holding off for a few more hours until your rape kit is collected. If you hop in the shower you might accidentally wash off valuable evidence. [3] X Research source
- Additionally, try not to wash your hands until you’ve visited the hospital.
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Refrain from using the restroom. You may have to use the restroom, but try holding off until your rape kit is collected. Using the restroom puts you at risk of accidentally losing valuable evidence.
- Try not to wash your hands until you've visited the hospital.
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Refrain from brushing your teeth or having a snack. Wait until a trained examiner has swabbed your mouth and collected all of the evidence they need. Once your rape kit is collected, you’ll be good to go. [4] X Research source
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Visit the hospital before you change into fresh clothes. It's a good idea to bring a fresh change of clothes, however, the examiners will ask you to submit your old clothes as evidence. Once your rape kit is collected, you can change into fresh, clean clothes. [5] X Research source
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Call a loved one or advocate to go with you to the hospital if you'd like. It can be incredibly overwhelming to visit the hospital after an assault, but you don’t have to go through the process alone. All victims are welcome to bring a friend, relative, or advocate with them who will stay by their side during the exam. [6] X Research source
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Question 4 of 10:
What happens during a sexual assault forensic exam?
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Your physical injuries are treated first. If you’re seriously hurt, nurses will make sure that you’re safe and stable first. The exam won’t start until you’ve been treated. [7] X Trustworthy Source Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors Go to source
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A special nurse or examiner will ask you about your medical history. Rape kits are usually collected by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) or Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs or SAEs). These people are specially trained and will help walk you through the exam process. Expect questions about your current medications and medical history, as well as questions about your recent sex life. Some of these questions may be a bit uncomfortable to answer, but they’ll help your rape kit be really thorough and accurate. [8] X Trustworthy Source Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors Go to source
- SANEs or SAFEs will ask about recent consensual partners. These people won’t be judging or criticizing you whatsoever—they just need to know what DNA to exclude so they can focus on the real perpetrator.
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A SANE or SAFE will examine you. A trained professional will take a few swabs from your genitals, mouth, and/or anus, depending on your situation. The examiner may also collect blood, hair, and/or urine samples, or swab your skin. Your examiner will also ask you if they can hold onto your clothes from the assault, in case your garments hold any trace evidence, like hairs or fibers. [9] X Trustworthy Source Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors Go to source The examiner will also take a picture of your internal injuries with a small camera known as a colposcope. [10] X Research source
- The examiner may also ask to comb through your pubic hair as a way to pick up trace evidence.
- If you ever feel uncomfortable with any part of the exam, you can ask your examiner to stop. Your safety and comfort are most important during the exam.
- It is important to note that a majority of hospitals do not have a SANE on staff, so it is possible that an Emergency Room Nurse will be conducting your exam, however, rest assured, they are trained professionals. [11] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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Tips
- You don’t have to report the assault right away if you're uncomfortable with the idea—take your time to decide what’s best for your mental and emotional health. Your own well-being is most important. [20] X Trustworthy Source Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors Go to source If you don’t report the assault immediately, the hospital will still hold onto your rape kit for half a year. [21] X Research sourceThanks
- Not all evidence is visible to the naked eye. Even if you don’t have any physical injuries, consider visiting a hospital to get a rape kit taken. [22] X Trustworthy Source Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors Go to sourceThanks
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Warnings
- If you need a listening ear, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673. You can find international hotlines here: http://www.ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html .Thanks
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References
- ↑ http://www.endthebacklog.org/information-survivors-dna-and-rape-kit-evidence/what-rape-kit-and-rape-kit-exam
- ↑ https://www.seattle.gov/police/need-help/crimes-against-persons/sexual-assault/getting-medical-care
- ↑ https://www.seattle.gov/police/need-help/crimes-against-persons/sexual-assault/getting-medical-care
- ↑ https://www.seattle.gov/police/need-help/crimes-against-persons/sexual-assault/getting-medical-care
- ↑ https://www.seattle.gov/police/need-help/crimes-against-persons/sexual-assault/getting-medical-care
- ↑ http://womensfreedomcenter.net/get-help/sexual-assault/after-an-assault/
- ↑ https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
- ↑ https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
- ↑ https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
- ↑ https://time.com/3001467/heres-what-happens-when-you-get-a-rape-kit-exam/
- ↑ http://womensfreedomcenter.net/get-help/sexual-assault/after-an-assault/
- ↑ https://time.com/3001467/heres-what-happens-when-you-get-a-rape-kit-exam/
- ↑ https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
- ↑ http://womensfreedomcenter.net/get-help/sexual-assault/after-an-assault/
- ↑ http://womensfreedomcenter.net/get-help/sexual-assault/after-an-assault/
- ↑ https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/
- ↑ https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
- ↑ https://www.surviverape.org/forensics/sexual-assault-forensics/answers-to-faq
- ↑ https://www.rainn.org/articles/rape-kit
- ↑ http://womensfreedomcenter.net/get-help/sexual-assault/after-an-assault/
- ↑ https://www.rainn.org/articles/reporting-law-enforcement
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