Me Pasó a Mí
Soy un/a sobreviviente.Si usted ha sido una víctima del abuso sexual, no fue su culpa y no está sola/o.
SAVA ofrece servicios para todos los hombres y las mujeres que han sufrido un abuso sexual en su vida. Mejorándose después del abuso sexual puede ser un proceso muy difícil y complejo. Aunque todos tienen su propia manera de superar situaciones traumáticas, hay unas reacciones que son comunes después de sufrir violencia sexual.
Podría usted sentirse…
- Sin poder. El abuso sexual es un crimen de poder y control. Muchos sobrevivientes se sienten sin poder o indefensos.
- Con miedo. Muchos sobrevivientes sienten mucho miedo en lugares parecidos al lugar de su asalto o abuso. También pueden sentir ansiedad y desconfianza cuando en la compañía de otras personas.
- Entumecida/o. Muchos sobrevivientes no sienten nada. Sentirse entumecido o en choque después de eventos traumáticos son periodos normales para sobrevivientes que pueden durar semanas o hasta años.
¿Ha sufrido un abuso sexual en los últimos 7 días?
El periodo que sigue después de un abuso sexual puede ser un momento de confusión para sobrevivientes. Podría usted ser presentada/o con decisiones que no se siente preparada/o para tomar. Todo esto es completamente normal. Sin embargo, algunas opciones médicas solo existen dentro de 7 días después del abuso.
- Métodos para prevenir el embarazo y prevenir contrayendo enfermedades de transmisión sexual son más efectivas en los primeros cinco días después de un abuso sexual.
- Colección de Evidencias (Examinación Forense de Abuso Sexual o SANE Exam en Ingles) es una opción que existe hasta 7 días después del abuso- algunas evidencias aún existen después de bañarse. No es necesario reportar el delito a la policía para hacerse este examen pero le da más opciones por si acaso usted decide reportar en el futuro.
- Si usted cree que el alcohol o las drogas contribuyeron al abuso, usted puede recibir un reporte de toxicología. El reporte de toxicología debe de realizarse entre 3 días o 72 horas después del evento para los resultados más exactos.
Aun después de los 7 días, recomendamos que las victimas del abuso sexual reciban atención médica de un médico profesional.
SANE Exam’s
DNA evidence from a crime like sexual assault can be collected from the crime scene, but it can also be collected from your body, clothes, and other personal belongings.
Receiving Treatment
It is possible to receive treatment at your primary care provider; however, they cannot provide a sexual assault nurse examination (SANE). There are some hospitals/emergency rooms that are specially equipped for SANEs.
What is a SANE Exam?
A sexual assault nurse examination, sometimes known as a “rape kit,” is conducted by a specialized nurse to preserve possible DNA evidence. In most cases, you don’t have to report the crime to have an exam, but the process gives you the chance to safely store evidence should you decide to report at a later time. Sexual assault can also affect your physical health, as you may have injuries and trauma related to the assaults that aren’t immediately visible. During an exam you may be able to access treatment for these injuries, receive preventative treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and obtain emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Has the assault happened in the last seven days?
No- it may be a good idea to check in with your primary care provider, Planned Parenthood, or personal OBGYN (if possible) to check for injuries and prescribe antibiotics/etc.
Yes- DNA evidence is still possible to collect up to seven days after an assault
If you decide to go, try not to shower/eat/drink/change, go to the bathroom, chew gum, brush teeth, wash hands, cut fingernails, etc. If you already have, IT’S OKAY. Evidence still may be collected, but be sure not to do any of the above going forward until after the exam. Bring any items that you were wearing at the time of the incident in a paper bag or pillowcase (never plastic!)
Do I have to go alone?
No, friends or family may accompany you to the hospital and an advocate from SAVA is called out automatically.
At the hospital
Check in at the emergency room and the staff will page the on-call SANE nurse. It may take up to an hour or so for the nurse to arrive at the emergency room, due to the small availability of SANE nurses in Northern Colorado.
What is the exam like?
It is an extensive, head to toe examination to collect forensic evidence conducted by highly trained nurses. It can take several hours but you can stop, pause, or skip a step at any time during the exam if you do not feel comfortable.
Where can I go for a SANE?
NCMC North Colorado Medical Center
1801 16th St. Greeley, CO 80631
970-810-6244
Banner North Colorado Emergency Care
2000 70th Ave. Greeley, CO 80634
970-810-2636
McKee Medical Center
2000 N. Boise Ave. Loveland, CO 80538
970-820-4071
UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies
2500 Rocky Mountain Ave Loveland, CO 80538
970-624-2500
Banner Ft. Collins Medical Center
4700 Lady Moon Drive Fort Collins, CO 80528
970-821-4037
UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital
1024 S. Lemay Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-495-7000
UCHealth Emergency Room
4630 Snow Mesa Drive Fort Collins, CO 80528
970-237-8100
*Healthcare providers are required to report sexual assault/abuse to law enforcement if patient is a minor (<18 years of age) or an at-risk adult. Please do not hesitate to call our office or hotline for questions.
How do I pay for an exam?
- Law enforcement report: Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) funds are available to victims who report to law enforcement and stay engaged in the criminal justice system. Regardless of the outcome of the case, you have the right to apply the CVC for financial assistance for costs related to the crime. Some losses directly related to the crime are eligible for reimbursement, and may include: medical expenses, mental health expenses, lost wages, loss of support to dependent and property damage to exterior windows, locks, and doors. You can also apply for CVC funds if you are a medical or anonymous reporting victim who later decides to report to law enforcement. **THIS OPTION USES INSURANCE FIRST (if the patient has it) and the funds will cover any additional costs such as co-pays or deductibles, so be sure to save ALL receipts.
- Medical Report: The DCJ pays for the evidence collection and the SAVE Program can help pay for the costs associated with obtaining the medical forensic exam. When funds are available, medical expenses related to injuries sustained during the sexual assault may be covered.
- Anonymous Report: DCJ pays for the evidence collection and the SAVE Program can pay for the costs associated with obtaining the medical forensic exam. When funds are available, medical expenses related to injuries sustained during the sexual assault may be covered.
- No Report:If no evidence is collected, any medical bills are the responsibility of the victim.
*Advocates at the SAVA Center can assist you applying for/navigating these payment options, but there is no guarantee that these funds will be available.
Opciones para Hacer un Reporte
No tiene que hacer un reporte. Si usted ha sufrido un abuso sexual, la prioridad numero uno de un proveedor de servicios medicos es hacer un chequeo por heridas corporales.
Reporte a la Policia
La víctima hace un reporte a la policía y participa en el sistema de justicia criminal, significando que la víctima quiere participar en una investigación.
Reporte Medico
A victim chooses to obtain a medical forensic exam, but at that time chooses not to participate in an investigation. Evidence and information is released to law enforcement with the victim’s name and contact information. A medical reporting victim can chooses to have evidence tested for DNA. Evidence can also be collected and stored for at least 2 years by local law enforcement. At any time during the 2 years after initially deciding not to report to law enforcement, you can change your mind and file a law enforcement report.
Reporte Anonimo
A victim chooses to obtain a medical forensic exam, but at that time chooses not to participate in the criminal justice system. Evidence and information is kept WITHOUT the victim’s name and contact information, but with a unique tracking number. An anonymous reporting victim cannot choose to have evidence tested, but it will be stored for at least 2 years by local law enforcement. At any time during the 2 years after initially deciding not to report to law enforcement, you can change your mind and file a law enforcement report.