A woman who has been raped often
encounters painful and humiliating procedures when she reports her sexual
assault even in the hospital emergency room where she may have to wait a long
time for a medical examination and the collection of evidence that is needed to
convict a suspect. She often has little privacy while she waits. The offence of
rape is a brutal crime not only against the human body; it also affects mind
and soul of victim resulting in rape crisis syndrome.
The Doctor who examines a rape victim
in hospital should listen and act fast as counselor to release some of the
emotions to make the victim feel calm and comfortable. A program called SANE
(Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) that has been established in Tulsa ,
Oklahoma and several other U.S. cities,
seeks to treat the emotional, physical, and legal needs of rape victims with
greater consideration and sensitivity.
- A medical professional should test for STDs, including
HIV/AIDS to start treatment courses for protection against developing
these diseases.
- Treatment to prevent an unwanted pregnancy
- A medical examination to check for any internal injury
that might have been caused by the rape.
- A medical professional or trained technician may look
for and take samples of the rapist’s hair, skin, nails, or bodily fluids
from victim clothes or body.
- A doctor can test for a rape drug, if the victim thinks
that she may have been given a rape drug, a doctor can test for this, too.
Be aware that this toxicology test covers any and all illegal drugs.
- At any time during the medical exam, the victim can say
if you don’t want a certain test performed or evidence collected. All
procedures are being done to help victim and can only be done by valid
consent of victim.
- Victims should be seen in private rooms that are
decorated to avoid the look of a sterile, hospital waiting room.
- The nurse examiner allows the victim to complete the
examination at her own pace, in from one to five hours.
- A police officer should be requested to be available to
transport the evidence to laboratory for analysis.
(Ref:
TC Carmody. 2002. "A Feminist Repudiation of the Rape Shield Laws."
Drake Law Review 51 October).
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