The District of Columbia offers two medical forensic exam programs to victims who have been a victim of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or dating violence.

The District of Columbia Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (DC SANE) program is a partnership amongst the Executive Office of the Mayor, Office of Victim Services, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, DC Forensic Nurse Examiners, and the Network for Victim Recovery of DC. The DC SANE program provides comprehensive medical, forensic, and advocacy care to adult and adolescent victims of rape, sexual assault, and other sex-involved crimes.

The DC Forensic Nurse Examiner Intimate Partner Violence Program is a partnership between the DC Forensic Nurse Examiners (DCFNE) and Survivors and Advocated for Empowerment (SAFE, Inc.). The DCFNE Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) program provides comprehensive medical, forensic, and advocacy care to adult and adolescent victims of intimate partner violence, dating violence, or domestic violence.

Both the DC SANE and the DCFNE IPV Program provide free emergency medical forensic exams, mental health referrals, HIV testing, prophylaxis medication (when necessary), and wraparound advocacy services. A survivor can receive these services whether they report the incident to police or not.

To get either exam, you can come to MedStar Washington Hospital Center Emergency Department and request a forensic exam or call 1-844-443-5732 to arrange for free transportation to the hospital.

Both DC SANE and DCFNE IPV exam services can include:

• Comprehensive physical examination
• Collection of evidence
• Forensic digital photography
• Injury documentation
• Preventative medications
• Testing and prophylactic treatment for STIs/HIV and pregnancy
• Crisis counseling, advocacy, and case management
• Other community referrals

MedStar Washington Hospital Center can provide medical interpreters to survivors of both crimes.

1-844-443-5732

MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Emergency Department, 110 Irving Street NW Washington, DC 20010

www.dcsane.org

Free Uber Ride: Call 1-844-443-5732 to get a free Uber ride to the hospital and dispatch a confidential advocate to meet you at the hospital.

Metro: If you are taking the Metro to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, exit at the Brookland/CUA stop on the Red line or Columbia Heights on the Green/Yellow lines. Exit the station to the right and take the H2 or H4 (Tenleytown) bus to MedStar Washington Hospital Center. One of these two buses leaves every 10 minutes. Metro Trip Planner

Driving: When you arrive, use the Emergency Department Entrance.

• Driving Directions
• Hospital Map

1-844-443-5732

MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Emergency Department, 110 Irving Street NW Washington, DC 20010

What to Expect

MedStar Washington Hospital Center can provide a medical forensic exam for victims of sexual assault and dating or intimate partner violence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The exam is tailored to what the victim wants, but can include evidence collection, comprehensive medical examination, preventative medications, and referrals to longer-term resources. You will not be billed for this exam. You will not be asked for proof of residency or citizenship. You may choose to report the incident and speak to the police while you are there, but you do not have to talk to the police or anyone else. Your evidence can be collected and stored anonymously until you decide whether to report (up to 90 days).

Free Transportation

Call 1-844-443-5732 to get a free Uber ride to the hospital and dispatch a confidential advocate to meet you at the hospital.

Bring Someone You Trust

If you feel comfortable, bring someone you trust. Bring a friend, family member, roommate, or colleague. When deciding who to bring, ask that person whether they can honor your privacy or if there are limits to the confidentiality they can offer; sometimes RAs or university staff members have reporting requirements.

Try Not to Shower

For a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam, try not to shower, bathe, douche, wash your hands, brush your teeth, comb your hair, use a toilet, eat/drink, smoke, chew gum, or change your clothes.

This may be difficult, but if you do any of this above you may destroy evidence that will be needed if you decide to report the crime to police.

Bring a Change of Clothes

In preparation for a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam, for you own comfort and to preserve evidence, bring a change of clean clothes and a paper bag filled with items involved in the incident.

Supporting Victims and Survivors

If your friend has experienced sexual assault, here are ways to support them:

• Believe them
• Help them explore their options
• Listen to them
• Never blame them for being assaulted
• Ask before touch
• Get help for yourself

Learn more about these tips with this information sheet from Men Can Stop Rape

Learn about safely intervening before a potential assault from Men Can Stop Rape