Medical

There are a number of reasons why individuals who have been assaulted seek medical attention. These reasons include:

• medical evaluation and treatment of injuries
• evidence collection (a forensic exam)
• assessment for and treatment of STDs
• emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy
• HIV prophylaxis to reduce the risk of HIV infection

It is recommended to seek immediate medical attention whether or not you report the incident to the police* even if you do not feel as though you have been seriously injured.

Evidence Collection

If you were assaulted less than 72 hours ago, you may want to consider going to the hospital to have evidence collected right away. This examination preserves evidence in case you decide to press charges. The evidentiary exam is paid for by the State of Arizona and is ordered by the law enforcement agent to whom you report the incident.
Advocates trained in sexual assault crisis response will be contacted to offer you support and to speak with you about this experience. You will have the option to work with them throughout the exam.
Suggestions:

• When you arrive at the hospital tell the ER personnel that you were sexually assaulted.
• Wait until after the exam to shower or cleanse yourself. This allows for maximum retention of evidence. However, it is still fine to have the exam if you have already showered.
• If you have had any period of amnesia associated with the assault, try not to urinate until you get to the hospital (if possible) and tell the hospital you'd like to give a urine sample to screen for possible drugs.
• If you are still wearing the clothes you had on during the assault, it is recommended that you wear them to the exam and bring a change of clothing to wear home.
  If you have already changed clothes, bring the clothes you were wearing during the assault to the hospital in a paper bag. The clothing you wore during the assault may be kept as evidence. Even if the assault occurred some time ago, your clothing may still contain evidence.
• If you have just been assaulted, it may be helpful for you to call the Oasis Program or the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault to find out which hospitals near you perform the exam. In Pima County the evidentiary exam and advocacy support are available any time of day or night.
  

For more information about evidence collection click here www.sacasa.org/helpfe.htm

Medical Evaluation and Treatment

If you do not want to have evidence collected but you want medical treatment…

And You Are a UA Student:

UA Medical Services
At the Campus Health Service, same day care is available for UA students who have been sexually assaulted. These services are available during regular Campus Health hours. Campus Health houses a gynecology department with female providers who are sensitive to the issues of sexual assault.

If Campus Health Service is closed and you need immediate medical attention, you can visit any of the 24-hour care centers provided in the community section.

And You Are Not a UA Student:

Community Medical Services
You can call your primary care physician or family doctor or go to a medical clinic for important medical care.

You can also visit any of the following 24-hour care centers:

UPH HOSPITAL AT KINO CAMPUS
2800 E. Ajo Way, between Kino Blvd and Country Club
Hospital Operator: (520) 874-2000
Emergency: 24 Hours
Urgent Care: 9am - 1am

NORTHWEST MEDICAL CENTER
6200 N. La Cholla, between River and Orange Grove
Switchboard: (520) 742-9000
Urgent Care Info Line: (520) 469-8268 (3 locations)

ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL
350 N. Wilmot, between 5th St. and Broadway
Switchboard: (520) 873-3000

ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL
1601 West St. Mary’s Rd., east of Silverbell
(520) 872-3000

TUCSON HEART HOSPITAL
4888 N Stone Avenue, south of River
(520) 696-2328

TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER
5301 E. Grant, west of Craycroft
Switchboard: (520) 327-5461
Emergency Room: (520) 324-5700

UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
1501 N. Campbell, north of Speedway
Turn at Campbell and Elm stoplight
Emergency Room: (520) 694-6093
Urgent Care: (520) 694-4750

* Important Note:
Medical Providers are legally mandated to report treatment of material injury (injuries which are disclosed or discovered through examination or are suspected to have resulted from illegal or unlawful acts) to law enforcement.

What this means: If you speak with a medical provider about being sexually assaulted or physically harmed during an unlawful act, the medical provider must report this to law enforcement.
However, do not hesitate in seeking medical attention due to this. You do not have to make a report to law enforcement or comply with an investigation unless you want to. You can refuse to speak with law enforcement. You can refuse to give any other information about the offender or crime.

If you have questions or concerns about this you can contact the Oasis Program. The Oasis Program is a confidential source for discussing your options.