Health/Personal Safety Considerations

It is highly recommended that victims seek medical treatment from a nurse examiner program following a sexual assault. Nurse examiner programs have the ability to collect the evidence that is necessary for medical and/or forensic evaluation and court testimony if the accused is prosecuted. Both Ottawa and Kent counties have nurse examiner programs (see addresses below). In some cases, a victim may prefer to be treated at a hospital closer to their home.

Hospital treatment is recommended in situations where there is serious physical harm including loss of consciousness or blow to the head, continual vaginal bleeding following the assault, possible broken bones, a laceration requiring stitches, abdominal or chest pain present, pregnancy, or other serious medical or emergency conditions.

Although it is not an absolute deadline, it is strongly encouraged that physical evidence be collected within 48 hours or as soon as is reasonably possible. The collection of medical evidence does not presume that charges will be filed against the assailant; the filing of a criminal charge is always the choice of the victim. To protect important physical evidence, victims should not shower, bathe, brush their teeth, or change clothing prior to going to a nurse examiner program or the hospital. If possible, the student should maintain the scene exactly as it was at the occurrence of the assault if they intend to report the incident to the police. Even if a victim has showered or a time lapse of five days has occurred, it is still strongly encouraged that an assault victim seeks medical treatment.