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Sexual Assault - Forensic Exam

SEXUAL
ASSAULT

The Standing Together Against Rape [STAR] program, a division of the One Place Family Justice Center, provides Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to compassionately conduct sexual assault forensic exams for all ages.

Sexual assault forensic exams, follow-up case management and counseling is available free of charge.
One Place is one of only two pediatric (younger than age 12) facilities in the State of Alabama.

What to Expect
First, call the STAR Crisis Line at 334.213.1227. Upon calling you will be guided to a "safe location" for assistance. At the location, a Sexual Assault Response Advocate, the Volunteer or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Coordinator and a Case Manager will meet you when arriving. The team will direct you throughout the confidential and private facility. A Sexual Assault Response Advocate is here to support you and answer any questions about the SANE/forensic examination process. From this initial meeting, until the total forensic examination is completed, the Sexual Assault Response Advocate will be at your side offering support.

Upon the arrival of the SANE nurse, a brief interview will be conducted. The interview is designed to gather basic information about you and to determine the specifics of the sexual assault. During this process, you may ask any questions. After the interview, you, the Sexual Assault Response Advocate and SANE Nurse will begin the process for your examination room.

The examination room is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that is not available in local emergency rooms. The examination room and equipment are designed specifically to maintain the maximum level of comfort for the survivor, provide the necessary medical treatment, and collect the required forensic evidence.

After the examination is completed, you will have the option to shower. Often, the survivor’s clothing is retained as forensic evidence. Clothing is provided to you, if this is the case. After the exam and/or shower, the Sexual Assault Response Advocate will ensure that you get to a safe place. Follow-up by Case Management staff is done with you within 72 hours of your visit, unless otherwise requested. Counseling, legal advocacy and support groups are discussed to aid in your healing process.

Avoid activities that could potentially damage evidence

1.) Avoid Bathing, 2.) Showering, 3.) Using the restroom, 4.) Eating or drinking,5.) Changing clothes, 6.) Combing hair, and 7.) Cleaning up the area

It’s natural to want to go through these motions after a traumatic experience. If you have done any of these activities, you can still have an exam performed. You may want to bring a spare change of clothes with you to the hospital or health facility where you’re going to have the exam.

In most cases, DNA evidence needs to be collected within 72 hours to be analyzed by a crime lab—but a sexual assault forensic exam can reveal other forms of evidence beyond this time frame that can be useful if you decide to report. Place your belongings, including the clothes you were wearing, in a paper bag to safely preserve evidence. If you have questions about the time frame, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or talk to your local sexual assault service provider – One Place Family Justice Center's Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) program representatives.

Call the STAR Crisis Line 334.213.1227 for immediate assistance.

60% of all sexual assaults go unreported
Don't let yours be one of them.

ONE PLACE: We Are Here For You.

Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. A person can also be a victim of Partner rape, also known as spousal rape or marital rape, is a type of rape involving a person's partner or previous partner (no matter whether the partners are married).

Sexual Assault covers a wide range of unwanted behaviors—up to but not including penetration—that are attempted or completed against a victim's will or when a victim cannot consent because of age, disability, or the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sexual assault may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of weapons, coercion, intimidation, or pressure.

Sexual assault covers a wide range of unwanted behaviors—up to but not including penetration—that are attempted or completed against a victim's will or when a victim cannot consent because of age, disability, or the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sexual assault may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of weapons, coercion, intimidation, or pressure and may include— Intentional touching of the victim's genitals, anus, groin, or breasts; undesired exposure to pornography; Voyeurism, or peeping exhibitionism (when someone exposes himself or herself in public); sexual harassment or threats; Forcing someone to pose for sexual pictures; and public display of images that were taken in a private context or when the victim was unaware.

Sexual Assault Includes rape, attempted rape, sexual coercion, sexual contact with a child, incest (sexual contact between family members), fondling or unwanted touching above or under clothes.

Sexual assault can also be verbal or visual. It is anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention.

Rape is a violent crime involving sexual acts forced on one person by another. Rape is technically defined as forced penetration (with any body part or object) including anal, vaginal or oral intercourse. Rape is illegal and while the term "rape" specifies penetration, other sexual acts not involving penetration, when forced on someone, are also illegal.

ONE PLACE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER