Get Medical Aid
Urgent medical care is available free of charge. A medical forensic exam, or SANE exam, can be performed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). These nurses are specially trained to address your needs and concerns, assess for signs and symptoms of injury or medical emergencies related to violence, document what happened to you, and preserve potential evidence.
SANE exam services can include a comprehensive physical examination, collection of potential evidence, photography of injuries and injury documentation, testing and prophylactic treatment for STIs/HIV and pregnancy, and other community referrals. Even if you feel “okay,” a SANE exam may uncover hidden health concerns or warning signs, helping ensure you are safe and healthy. You can opt out of any part of the exam, and the SANE will perform the exam at your pace and according to your specific needs.
You can always get medical help, but potential DNA evidence can only be gathered within certain timeframes after the assault. Visit the link below for your age groups for specific timeframes for SANE care.
If you do not wish to get a SANE exam, are seeking long-term, non-SANE exam-related care, or more routine medical care, visit Ongoing Medical Care for additional resources.
Contact the DC Victim Hotline to
- Talk to an Advocate about getting a SANE exam
- Get transportation to the hospital
- Speak with a nurse about medical questions
Youth Medical Aid
When you arrive at the hospital and check in, the triage nurse will notify the Emergency Department Social Worker who will talk to you about your needs and wishes. The Social Worker will contact an Advocate if you wish, and they will contact a SANE nurse from the Child and Adolescent Protection Center (CAPC).
If you are seeking medical care and are under the age of 18, doctors and nurses are required by DC law to report any suspected abuse or neglect to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Division. Even if a report is made by someone else, speaking with police is still your choice.
If you are seeking medical care and are under the age of 18, doctors and nurses are required by DC law to report any suspected abuse or neglect to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Division. Even if a report is made by someone else, speaking with police is still your choice.
For a full explanation of what this means for you, visit Resources on Confidentiality & Mandated Reporting.
Where to Go
SANE exams for people aged 13 to 17 are done at:
Children’s National Hospital’s
Emergency Department
111 Michigan Avenue, NW Washington DC, 20010
Emergency Department
111 Michigan Avenue, NW Washington DC, 20010
How to Get There
Get A Free Uber/Lyft
To get a free Uber or Lyft, call or chat the DC Victim Hotline: 844-443-5732 to speak with an Advocate.
Metro Rail
The nearest Metro stop is Brookland/CUA (Catholic University) on the Red Line
Metro Bus
The C-63, C-61, and D-36 buses stop in front of the hospital
Driving
When you get there, look for the brightly colored signs directing you to the garage and use the emergency department entrance.
Adult Medical Aid
MedStar Washington Hospital Center provides access to a medical forensic exam for victim-survivors of sexual assault and dating or intimate partner violence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SANE exams can gather reliable physical evidence using an evidence kit up to five days after an assault. After that time, the SANE nurse can still provide all other elements of the SANE exam, including documentation of the assault and any injuires, medical assessment and care, and STI/HIV testing and treatment.
SANE exams can gather reliable physical evidence using an evidence kit up to five days after an assault. After that time, the SANE nurse can still provide all other elements of the SANE exam, including documentation of the assault and any injuires, medical assessment and care, and STI/HIV testing and treatment.
Where to Go
SANE exams for people aged 18 and older are done at:
MedStar Washington Hospital Center's
Emergency Department
110 Irving Street, NW Washington DC 20010
Emergency Department
110 Irving Street, NW Washington DC 20010
How to Get There
Get A Free Uber/Lyft
To get a free Uber or Lyft, call or chat the DC Victim Hotline: 844-443-5732 to speak with an Advocate.
Metro Rail
The nearest Metro stop is Brookland/CUA (Catholic University) on the Red Line
Metro Bus
The C-63, C-61, and D-36 buses stop in front of the hospital
Driving
When you get there, look for the brightly colored signs directing you to the garage and use the emergency department entrance.
Things to Consider
Try to preserve possible evidence
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 the above you may destroy evidence that could be useful to the investigation if you decide to report the crime to police. You can still come in for an exam even if you have done any of these things.
This may be difficult, but if you do any of the above you may destroy evidence that could be useful to the investigation if you decide to report the crime to police. You can still come in for an exam even if you have done any of these things.
Bring someone you trust
If you feel comfortable, bring someone you trust - 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 Resident Assistants/Advisors (RAs) or university staff members have reporting requirements. There may be times when your chosen support person cannot remain in the room during portions of the SANE exam. A Sexual Assault Victim Advocate can stay with you throughout the entire exam for emotional support, if you choose.
Bring a change of clothes
For your own comfort and to preserve evidence, bring a change of clean clothes and a paper bag filled with any items involved in the incident.