This Card Will Help You Access Health Care After Sexual Assault
If you have been sexually assaulted, you may know that you can go to a hospital emergency department for a forensic medical examination, sometimes known as a rape kit , to collect DNA evidence and make sure you are receiving proper care. But not every hospital has people trained to provide this service, so NBC News has put together a map of where to find help in the form of SANEs – specially trained sex abuse nurses – in every state.
SANE Services help sexual assault service providers go through this process by educating them about their rights and options in gathering evidence. Many hospitals do not have 24/7 SANE available, and some do not, NBC reports, noting that preparing nurses for these exams does not make hospitals money, so SANE tends to come from programs run by state governments or non-profit organizations. … NBC reporters called each state to ask how people can access the sexual assault exam, and found that many are not tracking staffing or providing an updated list of where to find qualified examiners.
As a result, they built this map , which should give you a starting point. You will find a link to a national directory, if available, as well as information on local hospitals and rape crisis centers. Sometimes it is better to go to the hospital first; in other cases, it is better to call the crisis center.
Another option, whichever state you are in, is to call the RAINN National Sexual Violence Hotline. This hotline will put you in touch with your local branch where someone can help you find the right help.