Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Rape

Table of Contents

While in the emergency room:

  • You will be cared for by a team that is trained in dealing with the emotional, physical, and legal issues faced by a person who was raped.
  • Trained rape counselors will likely be present to support you during the evaluation and to help you with your feelings. A counselor, friend, family member, or someone (such as a nurse) will stay with you throughout the interviews and examination.
  • You should be offered the choice of being interviewed in street clothes, rather than in a patient gown.
  • The examination and collection of specimens should be fully explained beforehand, and whenever possible, you should be given choices.

The health care providers will take a history in a supportive and nonjudgmental way. This will include the details of the attack:

  • The date and time of the rape
  • Where it occurred
  • What you have done since the attack (for example, showered and changed clothes or came directly to the hospital)

If possible, this interview should be done with both health care providers and police present. However, even if you at first think you do not want to report this crime, it is important to have this interview with the health care team at least, as you may feel differently after a period of time. The evidence, including the history of what happened, is most accurate when obtained right away.

Other medical history information that is taken includes:

  • Any possibility of pregnancy before the attack
  • Current medications
  • Gynecological history, including any previous sexual abuse or assault
  • The date of the last menstrual period
  • The presence of chronic illness or recent illness or injury

A complete physical examination should be done to document any signs of trauma. Pictures may be taken to note bruises, scrapes, or cuts. X-rays will be taken if the health care provider suspects fractures.

Many samples may be collected for evidence, including:

  • Clothing
  • Fingernail scrapings
  • Pubic hair samples (especially if there are foreign materials in it)
  • Vaginal samples for evidence of sperm and sexually transmitted diseases (mouth or anal samples may also be required)

Blood tests and cultures will be done to check for the chance of pregnancy, infections, and to see if you were given a rape drug.

TREATMENT

Treatment focuses on providing emotional support, while attempting to collect enough evidence to confirm the rape.

Treatment for the immediate physical and emotional trauma includes:

  • Addressing the possibility of pregnancy. See: Emergency contraception
  • Providing information about rape and sexual assault in a safe and supportive environment
  • Treating sexually transmitted infections

Review Date: 03/30/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)