Responding to Sexual Assault Survivors in the Midst of a Pandemic
If you were sexually assaulted and had to choose between receiving forensic medical care or lessening your risk of exposure to an infectious respiratory disease, what would you decide? How would you rationalize your choice, concluding that one option is more important than the other? What if you were severely injured during the sexual assault? Or what if you have underlying health conditions and are more susceptible to developing serious illness after exposure to COVID-19? Coming to such a decision is the reality of the survivors we serve; forensic medical care for sexual assault and intimate partner violence is provided at one central location in Washington, D.C. That location happens to exist adjacent to the emergency room inside of a hospital.
If you decide to receive forensic medical care in this scenario , you will enter an emergency room where seating is spread out in efforts to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. After being triaged, you are guided to a private room, which may provide you solace since it is designated just for you and has a door. Upon arrival, the NVRDC advocate will greet you, and although the advocate’s face is half covered with a mask (as is required of essential hospital workers), the compassion in the advocate’s eyes is apparent. The advocate will explain the flow of the forensic exam process and after retrieving the forensic nurse examiner, formulates a plan of care with you. Whether you decide to report to police, have evidence swabbed and collected, or receive prophylactic measures to prevent pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections, this small team will empower you to partake in as little or as much of the process as you feel necessary. Our job, as the NVRDC advocate, is to empower you to make choices in your treatment. It is to provide emotional support throughout the entire process. It is to ensure your safety while you are in our care and to offer appropriate follow-up resources. Most importantly, our job is to make sure you are heard.
If you decide to lessen your risk of exposure to COVID-19 by forgoing forensic medical care, I understand. Based on what is known about the mild, moderate, and severe symptoms of COVID-19, becoming seriously ill from contracting the virus is a justified concern. Making a decision of this magnitude and consequence is not one a person chooses lightly. It is my hope that survivors who arrive at this distressing crossroads are aware that organizations like NVRDC and DCFNE exist. If you find yourself as the very real character in this scenario, you can call (844) 443-5732 to discuss your options. Although I cannot declare that our advocates will decrease your concerns of COVID-19 contraction while in the hospital, I can say without a doubt that our advocates are compassionate and empathetic workers, dedicated to stand by your side for the duration of your recovery.
If you are DC survivor of sexual assault seeking a forensic medical exam (aka. rape kit), please contact the DC Victim Hotline. From there, you will be connected to an NVRDC advocate who can address any questions you have, get you an Uber to transport you to the hospital, and support you during the exam.
To call or text the DC Victim Hotline: 1-844-4HELPDC (1-844-443-5732)
To chat with the DC Victim Hotline: https://chat.victimsofcrime.org/dcvictim/