What to do if you are Sexually or Physically Assaulted
After an incident of sexual assault or domestic violence, the victim should strongly consider seeking medical attention as soon as possible at the closest emergency room. In various states in the United States, evidence may be collected even if you chose not to make a report to law enforcement. In all states, victims may seek medical treatment for sexual assault without any associated financial obligation, regardless of their reporting decision.
In circumstances of sexual assault, if a complainant does not opt for forensic evidence collection, health care providers still can treat injuries and take steps to address concerns of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infection. It is important that a survivor of sexual assault not bathe, douche, smoke, change clothing or clean the bed/linen/area where they were assaulted within 120 hours after the incident occurred so that evidence may be preserved. Complainants of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking also are encouraged to preserve evidence by saving text messages, instant messages, social networking pages, other communications, and keeping pictures, logs or other copies of documents, if any exist that may be useful to University investigators, University Safety personnel, or local police.
In the chart below, please find the contact information for the hospitals closest to each campus as well as an indication as to whether or not the hospital offers Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Forensic Nurse Examiners (SANE/FNE nurse) services. SANE/FNE nurses are trained medical professionals who are sensitive and specialize in the care of crime victims. SANE/FNE nurses are able to collect forensic evidence from the bodies of victims of sexual and domestic assault. They also routinely work with law enforcement to preserve the evidence and may testify in court. If you have difficulty locating the closest hospital with evidence collecting capabilities, contact 9-1-1 and ask for help in locating a hospital with a SANE or FNE nurse. You may also contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network at www.RAINN.org.
State | Hospital | Address | Telephone Number | Forensic Services available for evidence collection? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Delaware Victims in DE may apply to DE Victim’s Compensation Assistance Program for financial assistance by calling 302-255-1770 |
Christiana Care | 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19718 |
302-733-1000 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, 302-733-4799, police involvement not required*** |
Bayhealth Medical System – Kent General Hospital | 640 South State St., Dover, DE 19901 |
302-674-4700 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Bayhealth Medical System – Milford Memorial Hospital | 21 West Clarke Ave., Milford, DE 19963 |
302-422-3311 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** Please ask to connect to Kent General Hospital. |
|
Beebe Medical Center | 424 Savannah Rd., Lewes, DE 19958 |
302-645-3300 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
New Jersey | Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mt. Holly |
175 Madison Ave., Mt.Holly, NJ 08060 |
609-914-6000 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
Virtua Marlton | 90 Brick Road, Marlton, NJ 08053 |
856-355-6000 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Lourdes Medical Center, Willingboro |
218 Sunset RD, Willingboro, NJ |
609-835-2900 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Deborah Heart and Lung Center Emergency Dept., Brown Mills |
200 Trenton RD, Brown Mills, NJ 08015 |
609-893-6611 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Cooper Health Systems, Camden | 1 Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ 08103 |
856-342-2000 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Jefferson Stratford Hospital |
18 E. Laurel RD, Stratford, NJ 08084 |
856-346-6000 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden |
1600 Haddon Ave., Camden, NJ 08103 |
856-757-3500 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Virtua Hospital, Voorhees |
100 Bowman Drive Voorhees, NJ 08043 |
856-247-3000 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Inspira Medical Center, Vineland |
1505 W. Sherman Ave. Vineland, NJ 08360 |
856-641-8000 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Inspira Medical Center, Woodbury |
509 N. Broad St., Woodbury, NJ 08096 |
856-845-0100 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |
|
Jefferson Washington Township Hospital |
435 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Turnersville, NJ 08012 |
856-582-2500 | Yes*** Forensic Nurse Examiners are on site, police involvement not required*** |