Get Youth Medical Aid
Urgent medical care is available free of charge. A forensic exam, or SANE exam, can be performed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) specially trained to address your needs and concerns and to document what happened to you and preserve potential evidence. 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.
SANE exam services can include a comprehensive physical examination, collection of evidence, photography of injuries and injury documentation, testing and preventative treatment for STIs/HIV and pregnancy, and other community referrals.
Possible evidence can be gathered during a SANE exam up to five days (120 hours) after the assault occurred, but additional medical needs can still be addressed and injury documentation can still be provided after that time.
If you have been assaulted in the last five days (120 hours), you can receive a SANE exam on an acute/emergency basis at Children’s National Hospital.
For assaults that occurred more than five days ago, call 888-884-2327 and make an appointment to be seen or you can contact the DC Victim Hotline.
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
Medical Care Under 18
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
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.
What to Expect
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 the The Child and Adolescent Protection Center (CAPC) SANE nurse. A detective will also meet you at the hospital to take a brief statement. You can choose to speak with the detective, wait until you are ready, or not speak with them at all. The choice is yours.
What Happens to Evidence
Any evidence gathered that requires DNA analysis will be sent to the lab for testing within 7 days of your exam. A detective will also meet you at the hospital to take a brief statement. You can choose to speak with the detective, wait until you are ready, or not speak with them at all. The choice is yours.
Who are the SANE Nurses
The Child and Adolescent Protection Center (CAPC) is a team of health professionals dedicated to victims and survivors of child abuse and their families. The Child and Adolescent Protection Center believes that all children have the right to develop and mature in a supportive, nurturing environment and that they have the need and the right to be protected from every form of violence, victimization, and neglect. When children are victimized, they must be given appropriate medical and mental health assessment and treatment with dignity, respect, and an appreciation for their emotional and intellectual maturity. The Center’s team of medical professionals provides comprehensive examinations (conducted by child abuse pediatricians and sexual assault nurse examiners) and treatment of sexually transmitted infections or injuries. Medical services are available by appointment or on an emergency basis, and forensic medical examinations for recent sexual abuse/assault are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A detective will also meet you at the hospital to take a brief statement. You can choose to speak with the detective, wait until you are ready, or not speak with them at all. The choice is yours.
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 speak with 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 speak with 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 parent, friend, family member, roommate, or other supportive person. 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 potential evidence, bring a change of clean clothes and a paper bag filled with any items involved in the incident.