After experiencing a sexual assault, you can go to a designated center for medical and social intervention for victims of sexual assault. It can be a hospital, a clinic, or a dispensary.
You will receive medical-social intervention there. This includes:
A medical examination;
Appropriate care and treatment;
The possibility of collecting and documenting forensic evidence;
Psychosocial support.
To find the designated center closest to you, call the sexual violence helpline (1 888 933‑9007) or dial811.
Go to the designated center as soon as possible after the assault. This will allow medical staff to collect forensic evidence that will be useful if you decide to file a complaint with the police.
Conduct of the Medical and Forensic Examination
The medical staff will first assess your medical condition. If you consent, they will conduct tests and offer treatments to reduce the possible consequences of the sexual assault.
Based on your report, and again with your consent, the medical staff will:
document any injuries observed on your body;
collect samples to identify the DNA of the person who committed the assault.
If the medical staff identifies them as potential evidence, they may want to collect the clothing you were wearing during the assault. You will also need to consent to this collection.
The clothing will not be returned to you. However, designated centers should have replacement clothing available so that you can leave the center comfortably.
Steps to Take if You Decide to File a Complaint with the Police
Forensic samples can be collected even if you have not yet decided to report the assault.
If you decide to report it, you will need to authorize the health center to send the results of the intervention to the police.
Do you authorize the transmission? The samples and results will become part of the evidence in the case.
You can also report the assault to the police even if no forensic samples have been taken.
