Medical options

You might need medical support

If you go to the hospital

If you have experienced sexualized violence recently (within 7 days), you may want to go to the hospital. You may want to receive medication to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) or pregnancy and document any of the harm your body was subjected to. This helps to collect and preserve evidence in case you choose to report to police.

If you go to the clinic

There are clinics that can help you with your needs. You can receive medical attention tested for sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) or pregnancy. You can call the Student Health Clinic at UBCO, or book an appointment with Options for Sexual Health, or visit a medical clinic near you.

Where to go in the Okanagan

If you are safe, go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital and ask for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE nurse) at Vernon Jubilee Hospital or the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) at Kelowna General Hospital and Penticton Regional Hospital.

If you are outside of the Okanagan

AT THE HOSPITAL

When you go to the emergency room, a nurse will ask you questions. Tell them about your health and ask to see a SANE nurse or the SART. The nurse will take you to a private room in the hospital and the SANE nurse or physician will arrive within 1 hour.

Once they arrive they will explain your medical and legal options. You have the right to choose. The nurse will support your choices, regardless of what you decide.

Remember, you have the right to say “no” or change your mind at any time.

Medical Care

With your consent, the SANE nurse or physician can examine you from “head-to-toe”. The nurse will:

• treat your injuries
• offer emergency contraception sometimes referred to as “Plan B” or the “morning-after pill”
• offer medications to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

The nurse may recommend that you see a doctor depending on your medical needs.

Collect Forensic Evidence

Whether or not you decide to make a police report, the nurse can document your injuries in a medical-legal report and collect forensic evidence. This gives you the option to make a report in the future.

With your consent, the nurse will:

• take blood and urine samples
• take swabs from various parts of your body
• document your injuries and obtain clothing as evidence

The nurse will give the evidence to the police with your consent. If there is a trial, the nurse can also testify in court as an “expert witness”.

Store Forensic Evidence

You can choose to store the collected forensic evidence even if you do not make a police report. The hospital will store the evidence for one year, so you have time to decide. If you decide to make a police report within a year, the nurse will give the evidence to the police. If there is a trial the nurse can also testify in court as an “expert witness”.

AFTER THE HOSPITAL

The nurses will provide you with information about various community agencies to get support and counselling.

You also can call us at 250 807 9640 to get support and explore your options.