Sex Crimes Unit
Investigative Section-Sexual Assault Squad
How to report
If you go to the hospital…
The first step is going to an emergency department of a hospital and tell
the triage nurse at the desk that you have been sexually assaulted and/or
would like to see a SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) nurse. Some hospitals
have sexual assault units with specially trained people to help you.
SART is a team of female Registered Nurses who have been trained specifically
to care for people who have been sexually assaulted. They are available
24 hours a day, and usually arrive within an hour of being called.
By asking for a SART nurse, you are NOT automatically reporting the assault
to the police. The nurse will ask you if you want to report to the police.
If you do decide to report, the nurse will call the police
for you, and a Detective will come to the hospital in plain clothes to speak
with you.
At this point, you can also choose whether or not to have a sexual assault
kit (or rape kit as it is sometimes referred to) completed by a
doctor and nurse. The sexual assault kit is used to gather medical-legal
evidence for court purposes, and the SART nurse can explain the
specifics of the kit to you during the examination.
The Sexual Assault Evidence Kit is a collection of evidence that will be
used during the police investigation and trial. The medical evidence should
be collected prior to any bathing, eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom.
Preamble: Reactions to sexual assault vary widely and the examination may
be difficult for the patient. In all cases the patient must be respected
and parts of the examination may have to be omitted or deferred unless medically
indicated. Note that a lack of physical evidence neither confirms nor refutes
a recent sexual assault. (from sexual assault evidence kit instructions).
The Sexual Assault Evidence Kit is provided to document the collection
of physical evidence that may assist in the investigation of a sexual assault.
Urgent medical needs must always take priority
In order to preserve the evidence for court, the doctor will perform different
tests. The nurse or doctor will perform some or all of the following during
the examination:
- scrape under fingernails;
- take samples of head and pubic hair;
- take blood samples;
- take vaginal and anal swabs;
- take vaginal swabs, looking for sexually transmitted diseases;
- look for injuries;
- collect clothing.
Each sample is carefully sealed, labeled and sent to labs for tests. The
forensic tests may help to:
- determine the time of the assault;
- identify the accused ;
- provide evidence of the amount of force used during the assault.
The police may also want to take pictures of your injuries. The pictures
are very important because after the wounds have healed the evidence is
still visible in the pictures. If photographs are necessary, you will be
given the option of a male or female police photographer.
KIT IS ONLY TO BE USED WHEN:
1. The patient/guardian gives informed consent and;
2. The assault is being reported to the Police or;
3. The patient is undecided whether or not to report the
assault to the Police. (Swabs must be air-dried, kit sealed, seal number
recorded and kit refrigerated up to 6 months.)
TIME GUIDELINES:
The most useful physical evidence is collected within 24 hours of the assault.
However, useful evidence can be found up to 48 hours after an assault.
If you do not want to report, the nurse will do a physical
and genital exam to asses any injuries that may have occurred from
the assault. She will also talk with you and help to determine
your risk for sexually transmitted diseases and if you are female,
for pregnancy. If these issues are a concern, the nurse will discuss
treatment options, such as emergency contraception and medicines
to combat sexually transmitted diseases. It is recommended that
you have a sexual assault evidence kit done. Arrangements will
be made to have the hospital store the sexual assault evidence
kit for six months. If you change your mind and would like to report
the incident to the police,
the evidence will then be given to the police.
Third Party Sexual assault Report
While at the hospital,(when the victim does not wish to have an investigation
commenced on their behalf) a “third party sexual assault report” can
be completed for the purpose of assisting police in identifying sexual assault
offenders. Details of the assault and offender will be forwarded to the
police and the victim will not be contacted directly.
If you are undecided about reporting to police…..it
is recommended that you have a sexual assault evidence kit done. Arrangements
will be made to have the hospital store the kit for six months. This will
give you time to make your decision and will also preserve evidence in the
event you decide to proceed with reporting to the police. If the decision
is made to report the assault to the police, the sexual assault evidence
kit will be given to the police to assist with their investigation.
Attending a hospital is about more than receiving medical attention, a
hospital provides a wealth of information. A victim will receive support,
guidance and direction about what to do next and who to contact for help.
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