How to know what will happen to you during an Evidentiary Exam.

After the rape or sexual assault, the trauma of the Evidentiary Exam can be terrifying. The following information will tell you not only what will happen during the medical examination process but also what your rights are. Even if you were able to escape before being raped, it is advisable for you to seek medical attention. Where do you go to get the examination? If you decide to report the rape to the police, they will know which hospitals have the services that you need. They also can put you in touch with a rape crisis center for counseling. If you decide not to report it, you can call your doctor for advice as to where to go. Here are some reasons why you need to get a medical exam immediately after the assault:

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. To calculate the extent of your injuries. It is common for the victim of a rape or attempted rape to go into a state of shock and numbness in which she will not realize the extent of her injuries.

2. To collect medical evidence for possible future prosecution. This evidence must be gathered as soon as possible. If you can be tested within twelve hours of the rape, there is a 95 % chance the test for sperm and semen will be accurate. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be for the doctors to obtain usable specimens.

3. To settle fears you may have about AIDS or venereal disease, and to be tested for preexisting pregnancy.

4. It is a good idea for you to call a supportive friend to come with you or meet you at the hospital. Have your friend bring an extra set of clothes for you as your present clothes may be taken from you to be used as evidence of the assault. You may want to have a female friend meet you, as she may be more supportive than a boyfriend or family member right now.

5. Once you know which hospital to use, you should go to the emergency room, where, unfortunately, you may not be a high priority, especially if you have no outward signs of physical injury. This may mean that you will have to wait until the emergency staff is available to help you. The emergency room may not be warm, comfortable, or at all pleasant for you, especially at this time. In fact, it will probably be bright, cold, and impersonal. Be prepared for this—don’t let it keep you from seeking medical attention. Any hospital that deals with sexual assaults should have a sensitively trained team of doctors, nurses, and psychologists who will help you through the process. Just in case you encounter impersonal or insensitive hospital staff, it is important to have a supportive friend accompany and help you during this exam.

Tips & Warnings

• You may wish to call your personal physician to be with you during this procedure.
• Insist on being treated with gentleness and sensitivity.
• You can request privacy during the collection of medical evidence.
• If you are a minor, your right to have the exam take place without parents or guardians present will depend on local laws.
• You may request that police officers leave the examination room during the actual exam.
• You may request that a friend, family member, or rape crisis counselor be present during the exam.
• You have the right to have each procedure explained in detail before you allow the doctors to continue with the exam. Make sure you understand what the doctors and nurses are telling you. If you cannot decipher the medical terminology, ask them to stop and explain it to you.
• The evidentiary exam is an examination for the purpose of obtaining evidence of sexual assault. It may include a pelvic exam. If forced sodomy or forced oral sex was performed, additional exams may be required of other parts of your body.
• The evidentiary exam will document evidence of recent sexual intercourse, signs of force, and anything that could identify and incriminate the assailant.