Options to Consider

What to Expect

MedStar Washington Hospital Center can provide a medical forensic exam for victims of sexual assault and dating or intimate partner violence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The exam is tailored to what the victim wants, but can include evidence collection, comprehensive medical examination, preventative medications, and referrals to longer-term resources. You may choose to report the incident and speak to the police while you are there, but you do not have to talk to the police or anyone else until you are ready. Your evidence can be collected and stored anonymously until you decide whether to report (up to 90 days).

Call 1-844-443-5732 to get a free Uber Cab ride to the hospital and dispatch a confidential advocate to meet you at the hospital.

If you feel comfortable, bring someone you trust. Bring a friend, family member, roommate, or colleague. When deciding who to bring, ask that person whether they can honor your privacy or if there are limits to the confidentiality they can offer; sometimes RAs or university staff members have reporting requirements.

For a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam, try not to shower, bathe, douche, wash your hands, brush your teeth, comb your hair, use a toilet, eat/drink, smoke, chew gum, or change your clothes.

This may be difficult, but if you do any of this above you may destroy evidence that will be needed if you decide to report the crime to police.

In preparation for a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam, for you own comfort and to preserve evidence, bring a change of clean clothes and a paper bag filled with items involved in the incident.