The General Approach and Management of the Patient Who Discloses a Sexual Assault

The effects a sexual assault on a survivor can be profound and multifaceted. Some of the aftermath may include bodily and/or anal/genital injury, sexually transmitted infection (STI) or disease (STD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, suicidal ideation, and pregnancy. There is no typical experience or survivor response. So, if a survivor presents to the Emergency Departments for care, it is imperative for healing that the response is stabilizing, coordinated, and compassionate. Immediate needs of a survivor of sexual assault include: medical and/or psychiatric evaluation and stabilization, activation of community advocacy to the bedside, mandated reporting as directed by state statutes, offering and conducting (if desired by the survivor) the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE), collaboration with law enforcement (if desired by the survivor), prophylactic medications for STI and STD, pregnancy risk evaluation and care and safe discharge planning.