YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Going to the Hospital
One option that might be available is getting a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE). Another name for the SAFE exam is a “kit”.The SAFE exam is a free, confidential medical evaluation conducted by a
specially trained nurse – called a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) – to assess
your health, treat injuries, and collect vital evidence should you choose to report
to law enforcement. You do not need to report to law enforcement to receive
medical care.
The SAFE exam is available to all genders in Douglas, Franklin, and Jefferson
Counties. Individuals aged 14 and older can receive SAFE services at Lawrence
Memorial Hospital and AdventHealth Ottawa, while minors under age 14 can
only be seen at AdventHealth Ottawa or at Children’s Mercy Hospital in both
Overland Park and downtown Kansas City. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners are specially trained to collect and record evidence of sexual assault but also offer medical care, with special attention to injury, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease.
Is the SAFE Exam Time Sensitive?
Yes. The recommended time to do a SAFE exam is within 72 hours of the assault, but in some cases the SAFE exam can be done up to 5 days following the assault. Not sure if you qualify? Contact an Advocate from The Care Center at 785-843-8985 to explore your options.
Do I need to make a police report if I go to the hospital?
No. You have a couple of options. First, you can make a criminal report and your kit will be assigned a case number to go along with the investigation. Secondly, you can do an “anonymous kit”. Since the evidence collected in the kit is time-sensitive, the exam can be done and no police report has to be made. Even though there is no longer a statute of limitations for sexual assault (victim-survivors can make a police report at any time), the evidence will be kept at the KBI (Kansas Bureau of Investigations) crime lab for up to 20 years. If you decide that you want to make a report within those 20 years, you can contact police and they can access your kit as part of their investigation.
What do I need to know before going to the hospital?
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The CARE Center Advocates are available 24/7 to meet you at the hospital to be a support system during the SAFE exam and help answer any questions you might have.
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It’s recommended that before you go to the hospital you refrain from changing your clothes or brushing your teeth. Don’t worry, if you have done any of these things you can still get an exam.
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You can refuse any part of the exam or stop the exam all together at any point.
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The costs should be covered by the local District Attorney’s office, but if you have any questions about costs or insurance, contact The CARE Center to explore your options.
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For youth and teens younger than 18 who have been sexually assaulted, the incident MUST be reported to law enforcement under Kansas’ mandatory reporting laws. Additionally, if you are a survivor who is under 18, over 60, or a person with a disability, it is important to understand the hospital’s mandated reporting requirements. Please call The CARE Center to find out more.
Where can I get a SAFE Exam?
Lawrence Memorial Hospital
325 Maine St, Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: 785-505-5000
AdventHealth Ottawa
1301 S Main St, Ottawa, KS 66067
Phone: 785-229-8200
An advocate from The CARE Center will meet you at the hospital upon your
arrival to offer comprehensive advocacy and support throughout your visit.
What if my child is under the age of 14?
Pediatric SAFE exams are available in Franklin County at AdventHealth Ottawa. Lawrence Memorial Hospital can see minors 14 years old and up.
Pediatric SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Programs are also available at Children’s Mercy Hospital-South in nearby Overland Park and Stormont-Vail in Topeka. The CARE Center Advocates can make a referral on your behalf so you do not have to wait long upon arrival.
For more information about Pediatric forensic evidence collection exams, please call our 24/7 Support Hotline at 785-843-8985.
