Remember... it is okay to not be okay.

Mental Health Resources at Stanford

Stanford
Vaden Health Services
Water lily on water. Credit: @kyslynska3881, via Freepik + Assorted Stanford community photos.

Time Sensitive Actions After an Assault

Immediate Help If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (or 9-911 from a campus phone). If you are injured or need immediate medical treatment, go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Forensic Evidence Collection (i.e., SART Exam, “Rape Kit”)

What is a forensic exam?

A forensic exam can do two things:

  1. provide sensitive, thorough medical care after a sexual assault including physical exam and medication to prevent sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy
  2. collect evidence that is admissible in court and may be helpful to the prosecution of a legal case, in the case that you decide to report to law enforcement

Medical providers at rape treatment centers have specialized training in providing medical care and sexual assault forensic examinations for survivors. They will help you understand your options for care and can provide referrals to other services you may need.

Other terms you may hear for the forensic exam include sexual Assault Response Team (SART) exam, medical-legal exam, sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) exam, sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) exam, “rape kit," or "rape exam.”

How do I get a forensic exam?

If the event happened on campus or in Santa Clara County, you can:

Where to get a forensic exam if the event happened outside of Santa Clara County

Ideally, it is best to go to the county site where the assault occurred. 

Before the Exam. In order to preserve evidence, individuals are advised not to shower, wash, wipe, change clothes or brush their teeth prior to the exam, if possible. 

During the Exam. A specially trained SART nurse will assess any physical injuries or trauma and collect evidence that may have resulted from the assault that can possibly be used by law enforcement. The nurse will provide testing and treatment for prevention of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and pregnancy, as well as directions for follow-up medical care.

Getting to the exam

  • Call the Confidential Support Team (CST) at 650-725-9955 (24/7 hotline) to coordinate transportation via Lyft or SUDPS

  • Call SUDPS at 650-329-2413 and tell them you are a Stanford student and would like an anonymous courtesy ride to Stanford Hospital Emergency Department or SCVMC for a SART exam (though not strictly confidential, you will not be required to make a police report; contact CST if you would like assistance with coordinating a ride through SUDPS)

  • Use your own transportation or arrange for a ride from a friend or family member.

You do not need to make a police report to complete a forensic exam. Although medical personnel are required by California law to report to the police instances in which a SART process is initiated, you have the right to choose not to report a sexual assault to law enforcement or participate in an investigation, as well as the right to change your mind at a later time. Both the nurse and certified advocates can provide more information about these options. 

For more information about forensic exams: https://sara.stanford.edu/get-help/medical-options/forensic-evidence-collection-ie-sart-exam-rape-kits

Medical Evaluation, Treatment and Follow Up (Without Evidence Collection)

Vaden Health Center’s medical service offers another option for students to take care of their physical body if they choose not to have forensic evidence collected. Options for medical care at Vaden include physical evaluation, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), and emergency contraception. Appointments can be made at vadenpatient.stanford.edu or 650-498-2336, ext 1. Students can request a provider of a preferred gender. Outside of clinic hours, students can reach Vaden’s on-call physician for urgent medical advice at the same number. Students can schedule an extended appointment due to sexual assault (routine STI screening is often not adequate) and/or ask CST for assistance with this. 

Medical doctors are required by law to report injuries identified as resulting from sexual or relationship violence to law enforcement authorities. However, the patient does not have to participate in the police report. Students can talk with medical staff about any concerns they have about the incident being reported.