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Emergency Department Sexual Assault Management

Trauma-informed, multidisciplinary acute care including forensic evidence collection and post-exposure prophylaxis.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Acil Servis department. Book Appointment →

What is Emergency Department Sexual Assault Management?

Sexual assault is a major public health and forensic emergency requiring a coordinated multidisciplinary response in the emergency department combining medical care, mental health support, forensic evidence collection and legal support, ideally provided by a specialist sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) or forensic team.

Care is delivered with explicit informed consent and a trauma-informed approach: history is taken in private, the survivor controls the pace, and forensic evidence is collected only with consent within recommended time windows (usually within 72-120 hours).

Emergency interventions include physical examination and documentation of injuries, sample collection per local rape kit protocol, emergency contraception, antibiotic prophylaxis for chlamydia/gonorrhoea/syphilis, hepatitis B vaccination/HBIG, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (within 72 h), tetanus update and arranged psychological and legal follow-up.

Symptoms

Reported or suspected sexual assault
Genital, perineal or extragenital injuries
Anxiety, panic and dissociation
Suicidal ideation or self-harm
Bleeding, pain or dysuria
Inability to recall events (drug-facilitated)
Domestic violence or intimate partner abuse

Risk Factors

Female sex and adolescence
Intimate partner violence history
Alcohol and substance use
Social isolation and homelessness
Cognitive impairment or disability
Sex trafficking and exploitation
Drug-facilitated assault (GHB, benzodiazepines)

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Reported sexual assault within 72-120 h
  • Acute injury or bleeding
  • Need for emergency contraception or HIV PEP
  • Suicidal ideation or severe distress

Treatment Methods

01
Trauma-informed history and consent for examination
02
Specialist SANE/forensic nurse examination
03
Rape kit evidence collection within recommended window
04
STI prophylaxis (azithromycin, ceftriaxone, metronidazole)
05
HIV PEP within 72 hours and emergency contraception
06
Hepatitis B vaccination and tetanus update
07
Mental health, social work and judicial referral

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Acil Servis department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Acil Servis Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.