Sexual Assault & Sex Trafficking Support

A: You can choose a free exam at SAFE’s forensic clinic, Eloise House, with our compassionate qualified nurses. If there are any parts of the exam you are uncomfortable with, you can skip them.

A: If you have already changed clothes, showered, brushed your teeth, or had something to eat or drink, that is okay! If you have not done these things, it may help to save evidence if you wait until after your exam. However, we want you to be as physically comfortable as possible.

A:  You can see your own doctor for medications to prevent sexually transmitted infections and to check to make sure you’re okay. However, your own doctor is not specially trained to collect evidence.

A: In most/many cases, people affected by sexual assault or rape do not require the level of care provided by an emergency department and can receive care at a regular doctor’s office or clinics. If you think you have medical needs aside from the options we can provide, we recommend going to an emergency department. If you do choose to go to a hospital for care, SAFE advocates may be able to accompany you in person or meet with you by phone, video, or text. Call our 24/7 SAFEline if you would like to connect with an advocate.

A: Here is some of what you can expect during an evidence collection exam.

• Medical history: These are questions about your health, just like going to a regular doctor’s appointment.
• History of assault: This is the part of the exam where you use your own words to say what happened. It helps the nurse understand where evidence can be collected.
• Physical evidence collection: Only if it is ok with you, physical evidence can be collected and injuries if there are any can be documented.
• STI and pregnancy prevention: If you choose, we can offer medicines that can prevent sexually transmitted infections or reduce the possibility of pregnancy.
• Safety planning: If there is something that feels complicated or scary to you, we can share ideas and resources that might help you feel safer and more supported.
• HIV Prevention: We can also refer you to KIND Clinic, where they can prescribe you with PEP to protect against and reduce the risk of contracting HIV.

You can choose what you do during an exam, regardless of reporting status or age.

A: It’s normal to not remember or have periods of time when you aren’t sure what happened. While we can find evidence and document injuries, physical exams by themselves can’t prove whether or not something happened. See “When will I know the results of my exam?” below.

A: If you think you might have been drugged, we can collect blood and/or urine if you choose to report your experience to law enforcement. Some people choose to use home drug tests or ask to have their blood tested at a hospital. It is important to know that these tests may not detect the drugs you were given and may or may not be useable as legal evidence.

A: Under Texas law, exam kits (sometimes called “rape kits”) must be analyzed within 90 days if there is adequate personnel and if you choose to report to law enforcement. There is a program that allows you to track your kit’s location and progress online.