A rape exam is a medial examination that enables you to identify and preserve physical evidence of the assault. During a medical examination, the doctor or nurse can look for and collect physical evidence of a sexual assault, such as sperm samples and stains on your body or clothing. This evidence may be present immediately after the assault but will deteriorate as time passes. The doctor or nurse can also document any injuries you have sustained so that if you decide to take any kind of legal action, such as participating in the prosecution of your assailant, you will have a record of what happened to you.

It is very important to get medical care after an assault even if you think you are uninjured, as you may have internal injuries. A sexual assault can also place you at risk for getting STDs. A doctor or nurse can help you evaluate your risk of contracting various STDs and advise you about ways to protect yourself against these risks. One of the benefits of obtaining medical care very soon after a sexual assault is that immediate evaluation and medication can prevent some STDs. If you are a female sexual assault victim, the doctor or nurse can help you determine the likelihood that you could become pregnant as a result of the assault and can advise you about the alternatives available to you. If you choose to have immediate treatment to prevent the risk of a pregnancy, the options are most effective if you seek care within 72 hours after the assault.

When you go to the hospital or clinic, bring a complete set of clothing with you, if possible, because the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault may be collected as evidence.

What happens during a Rape Exam?

The doctor or nurse examiner will usually begin by asking questions about your general health. You will also be asked specific questions about the assault to find out what to look for when they examine you. For female victims, this usually includes a pelvic exam.

The doctor or nurse will look for injuries and any other signs that force was used. If you do have visible injuries, you may be asked to give your consent to have photographs taken to have evidence of those injuries. In addition to checking you for injuries, the doctor or nurse can collect other evidence of the sexual assault. Depending on the types of sexual contact that occurred, the search for physical evidence may include taking samples from the vagina, mouth, or rectum to test for sperm cells and semen. Other evidence may be obtained from fingernail scrapings, foreign matter on your body, and the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault.

After the examination is completed, the doctor or nurse examiner will document the findings in a medical record. The written record can later be subpoenaed to assist in the legal process.

Should I have a medical exam and evidence collection even if I am unsure about making a police report?

Yes. Even if you are undecided about whether you want to make a police and unsure about whether you want your assailant prosecuted, you should have evidence collected as soon as possible after a sexual assault. This is the best way to keep your options open for the future. Physical evidence is very important in sexual assault cases and if you do not have an examination soon after the assault, the evidence will be lost forever. In many communities, you can consent to a medical examination and the collection of evidence and still withhold consent to release the evidence to the police until you desire it.