After an assault you may be numbed by the emotional stress of the event and feel fine physically; however, it’s important to seek medical care as soon as you are able. An advocate is specifically trained to support and provide you with your rights and treatment options, including the ways to handle transportation and the cost of your treatment. Consider reaching out to an advocate or staff member at the Talley Center, RCASA, or Empowerhouse as you seek treatment. You can also request hospital staff or Student Health Center Staff to contact an advocate on your behalf.
Medical professionals will complete a medical exam to address your physical health. In cases of sexual assault and physical violence, a forensic medical exam may be completed to collect and preserve forensic evidence.
It is important to receive medical care in order to:
- Be examined and treated for any injuries; some injuries such as strangulation or head trauma may not initially show symptoms but can later develop into a hazardous condition
- Be tested and treated for possible exposure to sexually transmitted diseases
- Discuss ways to reduce the risk of pregnancy, if applicable
- Collect medical evidence if you decide to report the assault to the police.
I want to get medical attention on campus…
The Student Health Center (SHC) providers can help with the identification, prophylaxis, and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections and conditions of sexual assault survivors. We provide physical exams and mental health consultations. An on-site pharmacy can provide you with some medications you might need. After hours, you can reach a nurse advice line via Fonemed by calling the SHC at 540-654-1040 and press 2. If you need specialized medical care, the SHC staff will help you make that process as smooth as possible. The SHC cannot perform a forensic medical examination. The SHC staff are confidential.
Concerned about cost?
Many services and medications provided at the SHC are low-cost or free of charge. Fees at the SHC are either charged to your student account or Eagle One card. You can make an appointment by calling 540-654-1040. The SHC is open daily 8am-5pm.
Student Health Center Costs
Fall 2023*
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing: One free test per year; $10 for additional tests
- Birth control: Appx. $8 per pack
- Emergency contraception: Appx. $12
- Pregnancy testing: $5
- Complete women’s health exam (PAP): $25
*subject to change – please check with the Student Health Center for the most accurate prices
Make an appointment?
You can make an appointment with the Student Health Center by calling (540)654-1040. The SHC is open from 8am-5pm. Remember, visits to the Health Center are confidential. Sharing any relevant information will help the staff treat you.
What can you expect?
Please call the SHC for an appointment so we can address your concerns. We always have same-day appointments available. Once at the SHC, you will check in and be brought back to the exam room by a nurse to be seen by a provider. If you have specific questions, write them down so you don’t forget to ask while you are here. Remember that SHC staff are confidential.
I would rather get medical attention off campus…
Do you need transportation and/or someone to go with you?
Empowerhouse and RCASA may be able to help. Contact the hotline 24 hours a day to talk to an advocate.
- RCASA’s Sexual Assault Hotline: 540-371-1666
- Empowerhouse’s Domestic Violence Hotline: 540-373-9373.
If you decide to disclose to University Police, they can escort you to the hospital. If you visit the Student Health Center first and mention that you would like a forensic exam, they may be able to assist you with securing transportation.
Local Hospitals:
- Fredericksburg Campus: 1001 Sam Perry Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401(Forensic Medical Exam Location)
- Stafford Campus: 101 Hospital Center Blvd, Stafford VA 22554
- Stand-alone ER at Harrison Crossing: 5501 Plank Rd., Suite 100, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
- Spotsylvania Regional Hospitals: 4600 Spotsylvania Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
- Stand-alone ERs: 10401 Spotsylvania Ave., Suite 103, Fredericksburg, VA 22308 and 5005 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22407
Are you worried about the cost?
There are resources and programs available to help cover different medical costs. While sexual assault exams are always covered by the Commonwealth of Virginia, there may be different coverage for domestic violence-related exams. Empowerhouse and RCASA may also be able to help. Contact the hotline 24 hours a day to talk to an advocate.
Free and reduced-cost STI exams are available at the Fredericksburg Department of Health (608 Jackson St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401) or 540-899-4142.
FAHASS (Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services) 540-907-4555 provides free and confidential HIV testing. STI testing are either self-pay or charged to your insurance.
MWHC Wellness Program (Mary Washington Health Care) 540-374-3279 provides free and confidential HIV testing only.
If you are considering a Forensic Medical Exam
(sometimes called a PERK/SANE exam)…
- It is important that this be done sooner rather than later, to preserve evidence and ensure you receive prompt medical care.
- Do not bathe, wash, or douche. Try not to urinate if possible.
- If oral contact took place, do not smoke, eat, or brush your teeth.
- If you have already done some/all of these things, it is still worth obtaining a PERK/SANE exam. Forensic evidence may still be present for collection
- Go to the Mary Washington emergency room. It is also important to seek medical and mental health treatment. The hospital can also test you for sexually transmitted infections and provide emergency contraception if desired.
- If you’ve already changed clothes, place them in a paper bag (not plastic). If you haven’t changed, keep the original clothes on, and bring an extra set to wear home. The clothes you are wearing could be used as evidence.
What is a forensic medical examination?
A comprehensive medical exam performed by a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) in instances of sexual assault. They provide specialized care for victims and have a specialized knowledge of the legal system and skills in injury identification, evaluation, and documentation. If possible, have the exam completed within 120 hours (5 days) of the assault.
Where do I get a forensic medical exam?
It is important that you receive treatment at a facility where the staff is trained to provide care for sexual assault and intimate partner survivors and know the correct methods for evidence collection. Currently, SANE nurses are available through the Mary Mary Washington Hospital Emergency Room: 540-741-1000 or 911 (police emergencies).
Private physicians are typically not trained to perform forensic medical exams; however, they can counsel you on your options and refer you to the closest hospital or clinic where you can receive the exam. A primary care physician can assist you with physical injuries, as well as pregnancy and STI testing.
Currently, SANE and FNE nurses are available through the 540-741-1000 or 911 (police emergencies).
Forensic exams can last several hours, but the important thing to remember is you have choices throughout the process. You can ask questions at any point and can change your mind if you decide to. If a support person (either a friend, family member, or advocate/staff member through Talley Center, Empowerhouse, or RCASA) would be helpful, they can be with you throughout the process. If you’re not sure whether you want to report or not, you can talk with the SANE nurse about your evidence being held without being reported.
If you decide to go to your family physician or primary care provider, consider telling them what happened, as they can treat you for what is needed. Some physical examinations may be triggering or upsetting for you; you may consider discussing this with a medical or mental health professional prior to your exam or appointment.
Will a forensic exam take a long time?
Exams can last several hours, but the important thing to remember is you have choices throughout the process. You can ask questions at any point and can change your mind if you decide to. If a support person (either a friend, family member, or advocate through Talley Center, Empowerhouse or RCASA) would be helpful, they can be with you throughout the process. If you’re not sure whether you want to report or not, you can talk with the forensic nurse about your evidence being held without being reported. If you decide to go to your family physician or primary care provider, consider telling them what generally happened, as they can often best treat you when they know what they’re looking for. Some physical examinations may be triggering or upsetting for survivors of sex or gender-based violence; you may consider discussing this with a medical or mental health professional prior to your exam or appointment.
What does the forensic medical exam cost?
The Commonwealth of Virginia will pay for the cost of the sexual assault forensic medical exam and the evidence can be stored for up to five years. However, health professionals are required to obtain authorization from law enforcement to perform forensic medical examinations for victims of physical assault.
What happens with the forensic medical exam after the evidence is collected?
If you are under the age of 18, your nurse or doctor will be required to report the incidence to the Department of Social Services. Having a forensic sexual assault medical exam completed does not mean you have to make the decision to file a criminal report or complaint with UMW. You can do a BLIND sexual assault forensic exam, which means that the evidence aka Physical Exam Recovery Kit (PERK) is kept anonymous. Domestic violence or physical assault cases do not have the option of keeping the evidence anonymous. Domestic violence victims must cooperate with criminal proceedings in order to have a forensic medical exam conducted.
If you choose to report your sexual assault to law enforcement, the police will take custody of the PERK from the SANE at the hospital and it will be sent to the Department of Forensic Science within 60 days. You have the right to be notified of the status and results of your PERK analysis. If you choose not to report the crime, your PERK kit will be stored for a minimum of two years. You can request for the PERK to be tested at any time.
Preserving evidence, including from a forensic exam performed by a SANE nurse, does not obligate the sexual assault survivor to pursue criminal charges or to appear in court.
