Medical Options

You have a legal right to have an advocate with you during each part of the medical process. An advocate can be reached by calling the Rape Crisis Line at 335-6000 (Iowa Code §915.20A).

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If You Were Assaulted Recently | Long-term Care

What Does an Advocate Do?

An advocate can help you throughout the medical process by:

• Remaining an understanding support person by your side throughout your examination, explaining all medical procedures and tests.
• Explaining your options and choices concerning police reporting and legal rights.
• Talking to you about the trauma of rape and the emotions that typically follow rape.
• Assisting family members or friends who may accompany you in processing what has happened.
• Helping you schedule follow-up counseling and support.

If You Were Assaulted Recently

If you were assaulted recently, you may want to consider going to the hospital for a sexual assault evidentiary examination.

• A sexual assault examination preserves evidence of the sexual assault in case you decide to report the crime to the police.
• It is also a time when you can get checked out physically and get prescriptions to treat potential sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy.
• The evidentiary exam and the prescriptions are paid for by the State of Iowa, whether or not you choose to make a report to the police.
• Sexual assault exams can be performed at either the University of Iowa Hospital or Mercy Hospital.
• Exams are performed by a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE).
• For more information on the Sexual Assault Evidentiary Exam, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and the Sexual Assault Response Team, visit the Johnson County SART web site.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics or Mercy Medical Center

The hospital exam may include the following:

• evidence collection
• history taking and documentation
• physical examination
• treatment of injuries
• photographing of injuries
• option of medications to prevent sexually transmitted infections
• option of medications to prevent pregnancy and it can be given up to 3 days or 72 hours after the assault (hospital will test for preexisting pregnancy).

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Long-term Care

Even if you were assaulted some time ago, or you do not wish to report the incident to law enforcement, it as a good idea to go to a doctor in order to be checked for injuries, STIs, and pregnancy.
Some local clinics provide free exams or reduced rates for people who have been sexually assaulted. You can call the Rape Crisis Line for more information about any of these options.

Clinics:

Emma Goldman (337-2111)

• Appointment Needed
• Offer medications to prevent sexually transmitted diseases
• Offer pregnancy prevention medication
• The medication for pregnancy prevention can be given up to 5 days or 120 hours after the assault
• After 3 weeks post assault, they will screen victim for STD’s and offer treatment if tests are positive

Planned Parenthood-Iowa City (354-8000)

• Appointment Needed
• Offer medications to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (treatment for S.T.I.s, only, does not test for S.T.I.s)
• Offer pregnancy prevention medication
• The medication for pregnancy prevention can be given up to 5 days or 120 hours post assault.

Cost for all locations:

The exam and medications given to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy are paid for by the State of Iowa.
The Victim/Survivor does not have to report to the police in order for exam to be paid for.

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