If you\u2019ve experienced sexual assault, SANE exams are available to help protect your health, document evidence, and support you in making decisions about next steps.<\/p>\n
A <\/span>SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)<\/b> exam is a medical exam performed by a specially trained nurse or clinician. During the exam, evidence related to the assault may be collected, and you may receive medical care for injuries, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other health concerns. The exam can be an important part of your decision to pursue justice, but it is <\/span>not<\/b> required to receive medical care or other resources.<\/span><\/p>\n A <\/span>SANE exam<\/b> is often called a <\/span>rape kit<\/b> or <\/span>forensic exam<\/b>. It\u2019s a way to gather <\/span>physical evidence<\/b> that may be helpful if you decide to pursue legal action in the future. Here\u2019s why you might want to consider getting a <\/span>SANE exam<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n You have the <\/span>right to make decisions about your care<\/b> during a <\/span>SANE exam<\/b>. You can:<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>SANE nurse<\/b> will explain each step of the exam and ensure that you understand what is happening. You will never be forced to undergo any part of the exam that you do not consent to.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>SANE exam<\/b> is a 16-step process, and it\u2019s important to know that <\/span>you are in control<\/b> throughout the process. You can decline any part of the process, and by initiating it, all care associated with the assault will be covered by the Massachusetts Victims Compensation Fund<\/a>. Here\u2019s what you can expect:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Important note<\/b>: The evidence is stored <\/span>confidentially<\/b>. You will be given information to track the location of your evidence, and you can choose to have the evidence destroyed at any time, should you decide not to pursue legal action.<\/span><\/p>\n We often recommend students go to Beth Israel Hospital; however, you can also get a SANE exam at:<\/span> You can have a SANE exam<\/b> up to <\/span>5 days (120 hours)<\/b> after the assault. The sooner you get to the hospital, the more options you will have for evidence collection.<\/span> It\u2019s natural to want to go through these motions after a traumatic experience. If you have done any of these activities, you can still have an exam performed. You may want to bring a spare change of clothes with you to the hospital or health facility where you\u2019re going to have the exam.<\/span><\/p>\n In most cases, DNA evidence needs to be collected within 72 hours in order to be analyzed by a crime lab\u2014but a sexual assault forensic exam can reveal other forms of evidence beyond this time frame that can be useful if you decide to report. Place your belongings, including the clothes you were wearing, in a <\/span>paper bag<\/b> to safely preserve evidence.\u00a0<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019ve experienced sexual assault, SANE exams are available to help protect your health, document evidence, and support you in making decisions about next steps. What Is a SANE Exam? A SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam is a medical exam performed by a specially trained nurse or clinician. During the exam, evidence related to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23490,"featured_media":0,"parent":3105,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3144"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23490"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3144"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3144\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4142,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3144\/revisions\/4142"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Why Would I Want a SANE Exam?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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What Are My Rights During a SANE Exam?<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
What Happens During the SANE Exam?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Inital Discussion<\/strong><\/h3>
\nThe nurse will explain the process, answer any questions you have, and ask if you would like someone to accompany you (e.g., a support person or advocate).
\nYou will be asked to describe the assault and provide any relevant details that might help with evidence collection.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nPhysical Examination<\/strong><\/h3>
\nThe SANE will examine you for any physical injuries and may take photographs to document any visible injuries (e.g., bruises, scratches, etc.).
\nEvidence may be collected from your body using cotton swabs and other tools. This is done gently, and you can stop the exam at any point if you feel uncomfortable.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nEvidence Collection<\/strong><\/h3>
\nClothing: If your clothes have evidence (e.g., semen, blood, fibers), they may be taken as part of the exam. You may be provided with hospital clothing to wear afterward.
\nSwabs: The SANE will use swabs to collect evidence from areas of your body that may have been touched or penetrated during the assault.
\nBlood and Urine Samples: If you suspect you were drugged, a toxicology test (blood and\/or urine) can be done to detect the presence of any substances that may have been used to impair you during the assault.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nOther Tests<\/strong><\/h3>
\nYou may be given medication to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy.
\nIf you are concerned about being exposed to HIV, you may be offered PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), which can prevent HIV infection if started within 72 hours of exposure.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nAfter the Exam<\/strong><\/h3>
\nThe evidence collected will be stored in a rape kit at the hospital for at least 15 years, even if you choose not to report the assault to the police immediately.
\nYou can choose to report the assault to the police at any time in the future, and the evidence can be used in an investigation if you decide to proceed with legal action.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nExample of SANE Exam Experience<\/strong><\/h3>
\n
\nThey will open the SANE kit. Once this is opened, the nurse cannot leave the kit alone, but you can decline any part of the exam and take breaks as needed.<\/li>\nWhat Happens to the Evidence?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Where Can I Get a SANE Exam in Boston?<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nSANE-designated hospitals<\/b><\/p>\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/h3>\n
What if I don\u2019t want to report to the police? Do I have to report to get a SANE exam?<\/strong><\/h3>
\nNo, you can have a SANE exam and collect evidence without reporting to the police. The evidence will be stored confidentially for 15 years.
\nYou do not need to report the assault to the police to receive a SANE exam or have evidence collected. You can choose to have the exam and collect evidence anonymously, giving you time to decide whether or not you want to pursue legal action.
\nEvidence will be stored confidentially for at least 15 years.
\nIf you decide later that you want to report the assault, the evidence can be sent to law enforcement at that time.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nHow long do I have to get a SANE exam?<\/strong><\/h3>
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nCan I get a SANE exam anonymously?<\/strong><\/h3>
\nYes, you can have the exam done anonymously. You do not have to decide whether to report the assault to the police right away.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nDo I need to prepare for a sexual assault forensic exam?<\/strong><\/h3>
\nIf you are able to, try to avoid activities that could potentially damage evidence such as<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\nHow long is the exam<\/strong>?<\/h3>
\nThe length of the exam may take a few hours, but the actual time will vary based on several different factors. It would not be unusual for you to spend 6-8 total hours at the hospital. It may be helpful to have someone to support you during this time. Be aware that if you invite someone other than an advocate into the exam room, they could be called as a witness if you decide to report the crime.<\/span>
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nWho can perform the exam?<\/strong><\/h3>
\nNot every hospital or health facility has someone on staff who is specially trained to perform a sexual assault forensic exam and interact with recent survivors of sexual assault.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\nDo I need to give my insurance?<\/strong><\/h3>
\nNO! <\/b>You do not need to give your insurance because the SANE exam and any medications will be covered by the victim’s compensation fund. You may be asked for your insurance, it is ok to say <\/span>no<\/b>, as giving it sometimes results in accidental charges (which can later be removed).<\/span><\/p>\n