Medical Assistance
SANE Exams and Follow-Up Testing
After experiencing a sexual assault, a survivor’s first response is typically concern for their physical health. Bridging Hope encourages any survivor to pursue whatever means necessary to affirm their physical wellbeing, and there are several options available to survivors, including:
If the assault happened within 5 days or less:
Contact Bridging Hope as soon as possible at 770-503-7273 and talk to our advocates about setting up a Forensic Medical Exam with us. These exams are extremely private for the survivor and are vital in screening for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
If the assault occurred more than 5 days ago:
You may seek medical attention from your local health department or any other healthcare provider. However, please contact a Bridging Hope advocate, and we will provide you with a referral to any health department in our service area for free of charge medical aftercare. NOTE: If you received a Forensic Medical Exam following an assault, then one free aftercare visit will be provided. If you did not receive a Forensic Medical Exam, you may receive two free aftercare visits. These aftercare visits can also screen for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Learn More About Forensic Medical Exams
Reporting an Assault
Making the decision
Should you choose to report a sexual assault to law enforcement, you may do so at any time. However, understand that the sooner you report the crime, the stronger your case may be. The decision to report any sexual assault to law enforcement is solely up to the survivor, and adults (ages 18 or older) are not required to report the crime. However, an advocate at Bridging Hope will be here to support you, no matter what you decide.
Making the report
To report an assault, contact law enforcement in the county/jurisdiction where the assault happened. If you have questions about the reporting process, a Bridging Hope advocate can provide information and help you to understand your options.
What to expect from law enforcement
Law enforcement officers create crime reports based on the survivor’s statements, assigning a tracking number to the crime. In our experience, reporting the assault to law enforcement as soon as possible may help a victim/survivor in relaying facts that are fresh in the memory. This is because trauma has the potential to impact a survivor’s memory and affect the ability to narrate events in detail. If you have any questions about the process, please ask a Bridging Hope advocate in advance.
Making a detailed report
No matter when a survivor lodges a report, it is important to relay the most accurate and comprehensive details, such as:
● Sequence of event(s)
● Timeframe / length of event(s)
● Words that were exchanged
● Physical assault / injury
● Weapons used
● Bodily fluids seen or felt
● Unusual details
● Grooming / premeditative behavior by the perpetrator
Support During the Criminal Justice Process
The police interview may take as long as several hours, depending on the circumstances of the case. Some questions will probably feel intrusive, and the officer will probably go over the details of the assault several times. It is the officer’s job to record every detail precisely to make the strongest possible case against the perpetrator. A Bridging Hope advocate can work with you to prepare for this process and provide the preparation and support you may need to complete this process.
To read more about working with law enforcement, click here.
Here for You Through Every Step
After a survivor places a report with law enforcement, there are many more steps in the process of the case. At Bridging Hope, our advocates can provide you with answers and support through the entire legal and judicial process – including accompaniment to law enforcement interviews and in the courtroom.
