Being sexually assaulted can be an incredibly traumatizing experience. There are no “right” or “wrong” reactions when going through trauma. Everyone experiences trauma in different ways.

You are not alone.

You may be blaming yourself for what happened. Sexual assault in never the survivors fault. It is not your fault.

You may be overwhelmed. Notice how you are feeling and consider seeking support. Be kind to yourself in your healing process. Self-care is important.

You may be feeling a loss of control. What happens in your healing journey is up to you. You should be empowered in your choice.

Talk To Someone

You may want to talk to someone you trust. You may want to talk to a friend, family member or rape crisis advocate. Navigating a healing path after a sexual assault can be difficult to do alone. 

Getting emotional support through talking with an advocate, meeting with a therapist, or attending a support group are all options that can support you in dealing with this trauma and can facilitate the road to recovery and healing. 

HOPE Works advocates are available for emotional support and information wherever you are on your healing journey. They can help you get in touch with a therapist or support group that fits your needs. You are not alone!

Seek Medical Attention

What is a SANE Exam?

A medical exam after an assault gives the option to:

  • Detect and treat injuries. 

  • Discuss and preventatively treat for sexually transmitted infections and/or pregnancy. 

  • Discuss your risk of HIV transmission from the assault, and the possibility of HIV prophylaxis.

  • Discuss and test for drugs that may have been used in the assault.

  • Gather medical evidence in the event that you choose to report.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE Nurses) are specially trained nurses on call 24 hours a day. If you are in Chittenden County, you may have a medical exam performed at the Emergency Room of the UVM Medical Center in Burlington.

SANE exams are free.

It is important to seek medical care as soon as possible if you are concerned about injuries and/or potential sexually transmitted infections (STI) resulting from a sexual assault. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has a 72 hour window of effectiveness after exposure, so it is important to seek care if you are worried about exposure to HIV. 

For evidence collection, there is a limited window of time in which any evidence may be collected. It is best to have a SANE exam within 72 hours of a sexual assault if you want to evidence to be collected. If you go after that period of time, you can still receive care! 

Evidence collection is optional and a highly personal decision-- it is possible and valid to receive medical care without having evidence collected. If you decide to have evidence collected, there are two options for what happens with what is collected.  It is your choice.

Reported Kit:

Your kit goes into the system under your name, and it will be reported to law enforcement as such. They will reach out to you so they can take a statement from you. You have the choice to ask the police to come to the hospital, or you can schedule a time* for them to sit down with you.

*See “Report an Assault” for HOPE Works reporting support.

Unreported Kit:

Your kit would go into the system under a number, but your name or information would not be included. Law enforcement would be able to see the results from the lab, but they would only see it as an anonymous kit. They are not allowed to have any more information about you without your express permission to change how the kit is reported.

HOPE Works Advocates are called to every SANE exam at UVM Medical Center to give you the option of in-person support and advocacy. If you choose to not have in-person advocacy, an advocate would still be able to support you in other ways.

Report An Assault

If you report a sexual assault in Chittenden County to law enforcement, your case will most likely be handled by the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI). The detectives at CUSI are trained to handle sexual assault and abuse cases. If you file a report, you will be asked to give a detailed account of the assault--your report is not a commitment to go to court. A HOPE Works advocate is available to answer your questions and help you with the process of reporting to the police. People who meet certain criteria may also be eligible for legal representation as they consider their legal options and/or participate in the prosecution of the offender. Advocates are also available to accompany and support you to court dates.