How to Get a Rape Kit: Everything You Need to Know

After experiencing sexual assault, getting a rape kit may feel like an incredibly daunting and intimidating experience. This is perfectly valid and okay to feel scared and uncertain after such a traumatic experience. You don’t have to get a kit if you don’t want to, but it could possibly help local law enforcement identify and prosecute the assailant. If you have some questions about this process, you are not alone -- scroll through this list and see if these answers can ease your worries about the process.

Question 1 of 10:

What is a rape kit?

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A rape kit is the evidence that’s collected during a sexual assault exam. Typically, this kit includes bags for storing your clothes, along with containers, tubes, and swabs to store evidence from your assault. Essentially, this kit is a well-rounded collection of evidence that can help investigators track down and prosecute your assailant.^{[1]XResearch source}
- When your rape kit is collected, examiners will ask you to stand on a large piece of paper. This helps them collect any stray hairs and fibers, which might be valuable evidence.

Question 2 of 10:

Where do I get a rape kit?

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Local healthcare centers have trained professionals who know how to collect your rape kit in a safe way; if a professional is not available, they often have advocates who will go to the hospital with you and stay by your side the entire process. Once you arrive at the hospital (alone or with the advocate) let a triage nurse know about your situation, and they’ll help you get situated.^{[2]XResearch source}

Question 3 of 10:

Is there anything I need to do beforehand?

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Don’t take a shower or bath. It’s completely understandable if you want to wash yourself off after everything that’s happened, but try holding off for a few more hours until your rape kit is collected. If you hop in the shower you might accidentally wash off valuable evidence. ^{[3]XResearch source}
- Additionally, try not to wash your hands until you’ve visited the hospital.
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Refrain from using the restroom. You may have to use the restroom, but try holding off until your rape kit is collected. Using the restroom puts you at risk of accidentally losing valuable evidence.
- Try not to wash your hands until you've visited the hospital.
Wait until a trained examiner has swabbed your mouth and collected all of the evidence they need. Once your rape kit is collected, you’ll be good to go.^{[4]XResearch source}
It's a good idea to bring a fresh change of clothes, however, the examiners will ask you to submit your old clothes as evidence. Once your rape kit is collected, you can change into fresh, clean clothes.^{[5]XResearch source}
It can be incredibly overwhelming to visit the hospital after an assault, but you don’t have to go through the process alone. All victims are welcome to bring a friend, relative, or advocate with them who will stay by their side during the exam.^{[6]XResearch source}

Question 4 of 10:

What happens during a sexual assault forensic exam?

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If you’re seriously hurt, nurses will make sure that you’re safe and stable first. The exam won’t start until you’ve been treated.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceRape, Abuse, and Incest National NetworkLargest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivorsGo to source}
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A special nurse or examiner will ask you about your medical history. Rape kits are usually collected by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) or Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs or SAEs). These people are specially trained and will help walk you through the exam process. Expect questions about your current medications and medical history, as well as questions about your recent sex life. Some of these questions may be a bit uncomfortable to answer, but they’ll help your rape kit be really thorough and accurate.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceRape, Abuse, and Incest National NetworkLargest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivorsGo to source}
- SANEs or SAFEs will ask about recent consensual partners. These people won’t be judging or criticizing you whatsoever—they just need to know what DNA to exclude so they can focus on the real perpetrator.
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A SANE or SAFE will examine you. A trained professional will take a few swabs from your genitals, mouth, and/or anus, depending on your situation. The examiner may also collect blood, hair, and/or urine samples, or swab your skin. Your examiner will also ask you if they can hold onto your clothes from the assault, in case your garments hold any trace evidence, like hairs or fibers.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceRape, Abuse, and Incest National NetworkLargest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivorsGo to source} The examiner will also take a picture of your internal injuries with a small camera known as a colposcope.^{[10]XResearch source}
- The examiner may also ask to comb through your pubic hair as a way to pick up trace evidence.
- If you ever feel uncomfortable with any part of the exam, you can ask your examiner to stop. Your safety and comfort are most important during the exam.
- It is important to note that a majority of hospitals do not have a SANE on staff, so it is possible that an Emergency Room Nurse will be conducting your exam, however, rest assured, they are trained professionals. ^{[11]XResearch source}

Question 5 of 10:

How long does it take to get a rape kit?

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Collecting evidence is a really thorough process, and can take a pretty long time.^{[12]XResearch source} While you’re at the hospital, ask your examiners for a more specific time range—they’ll be able to walk you through the process and give you a timeline of what’s going on.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceRape, Abuse, and Incest National NetworkLargest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivorsGo to source}

Question 6 of 10:

What do I need to do afterward?

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Take any medications or treatments the examiner prescribes. You might be prescribed some antibiotics, just in case your assailant passed something on to you, a sexually transmitted disease/infection. Your examiner might also recommend that you take fast-acting birth control pills like Ovral or PlanB, which will prevent an unwanted pregnancy after the fact.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Typically, you’ll take 2 birth control pills immediately, and then another 2 pills in 12 hours.

Question 7 of 10:

Am I required to get a rape kit?

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Not at all. Rape kits are helpful if you decide to take legal action, but they aren’t required whatsoever. It’s perfectly valid if getting a rape kit is out of your comfort zone at the moment. If you decide to get a rape kit and feel scared or uncomfortable during the process, you’re completely within your right to ask the examiners to stop what they’re doing.^{[15]XResearch source}
- If you’re okay with getting a rape kit, it’s best to visit the hospital sooner rather than later. Most DNA evidence should be gathered within 3 days so it can be analyzed properly.
- Some companies have even created at-home rape kits, although these are not as thorough as the hospital examination, it is still a way for evidence to be collected if you decide to not immediately report your assault. ^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceRape, Abuse, and Incest National NetworkLargest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivorsGo to source}

Question 8 of 10:

Do I have to report the assault when I get a rape kit?

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Sexual assault is extremely traumatic, and it’s completely understandable if you need time to think about and process the events.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source} You can always report your assault to police several weeks or months later, if that’s easier and more comfortable for you.^{[18]XResearch source}

Question 9 of 10:

How much does it cost?

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The exam doesn’t cost anything. In the United States, the Violence Against Women Act protects victims from being charged. If you still get billed, call a sexual assault service provider right away.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceRape, Abuse, and Incest National NetworkLargest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivorsGo to source}
- You can find your local provider here: https://centers.rainn.org.

Question 10 of 10:

How long will a rape kit be stored?

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It ultimately depends on where you live, but most law enforcement groups will hold onto your rape kit for several years after the fact. Ask your examiner or a local police officer for more specific information about the common practices in your area.^{[20]XResearch source}

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Tips

You don’t have to report the assault right away if you're uncomfortable with the idea—take your time to decide what’s best for your mental and emotional health. Your own well-being is most important.^{[21]XTrustworthy SourceRape, Abuse, and Incest National NetworkLargest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivorsGo to source} If you don’t report the assault immediately, the hospital will still hold onto your rape kit for half a year.^{[22]XResearch source}
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Not all evidence is visible to the naked eye. Even if you don’t have any physical injuries, consider visiting a hospital to get a rape kit taken.^{[23]XTrustworthy SourceRape, Abuse, and Incest National NetworkLargest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivorsGo to source}
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Warnings

If you need a listening ear, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673. You can find international hotlines here: http://www.ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html.
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