Medical Care

You can get medical care from your own doctor, or a hospital or clinic of your choice. Just keep in mind that your own doctor is probably not trained to collect or document evidence in case you decide to report to the police.

Typically, you will be charged for medical care, but there may be options that are free or available at a reduced rate, like a public health care clinic.

If you have health insurance, it will probably be billed for any medical care you receive. If you are on someone else’s insurance plan (like a parent or spouse) they may find out that you saw a health care provider.

If you are under 18, that person will probably be able to get information about the reason for your visit, and the services you received.

If you are 18 or older, they will not be able to get that information.

If you are concerned about this, there might be options in your community to get health care without billing your insurance.

You can always contact a victim advocate, to help think through your options. Then be sure to talk to your medical provider about any questions you may have.

There are some situations where health care providers might be required to report your sexual assault to the police. This is called medical mandated reporting.

In many states, medical professionals are required to report any sexual assault to police if it is committed against someone who is under 18, or that involve a weapon or serious physical injuries. In some states (like California, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts), health care providers are required to report all sexual assaults to police regardless of injuries or any weapon.

For more specific information, read below for someone who is under 18 or 18 years or older.

If you are under 18 years old, health care providers are often legally required to tell the police if they think you were sexually assaulted or physically abused. If they report your sexual assault, police may start an investigation and take action regardless of whether you want that. A lot depends on your age, state laws, and what happened to you. You can ask a victim advocate what the requirements are in your state. See the topic of victim advocates above.

It is important to get medical care to make sure you are okay, and health care providers can give you the best care if they know what happened to you. But if you are worried about the sexual assault being reported to police, you can tell the health care provider you would like treatment for unprotected sex. You don’t have to tell anyone you were sexually assaulted, and health care providers aren’t required to report if they don’t know you were assaulted.

Also, keep in mind that even if a mandated report is made, and you are contacted by police, you can still choose whether you want to talk to the officer. This doesn’t mean you can always choose what happens or what actions police might take, but you don’t have to personally talk with them.

If you are over 18, health care providers do not typically have to report your sexual assault to police, unless a weapon was used or you have serious physical injuries. They may also have to report if you are limited in your ability to take care of yourself, because of your age or disability. In some states (like California, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts), health care providers are required to report all sexual assaults regardless of injuries or weapons. You can ask a victim advocate what the requirements are in your state. See the topic of victim advocates above.

It is important to get medical care to make sure you are okay, and health care providers can give you the best care if they know what happened to you. But if you are worried about the sexual assault being reported to police, you can tell the health care provider you would like treatment for unprotected sex. You don’t have to tell anyone you were sexually assaulted, and health care providers aren’t required to report if they don’t know you were assaulted.

Also, keep in mind that even if a mandated report is made, and you are contacted by police, you can still choose whether you want to talk to the officer. This doesn’t mean you can always choose what happens or what actions police might take, but you don’t have to personally talk with them.

If you are under 18, health care providers might be required to tell your parent or legal guardian that you were sexually assaulted, or at least that they treated you. Even if they aren’t required to, they might tell your parent or guardian anyway. You can ask the doctor or nurse what information they will share with your parent or legal guardian.

Like health care providers, loved ones (like parents or guardians) can best help and support you if they know what happened. But if it’s hard to talk with them about your sexual assault, you can ask the doctor or nurse if they will tell your parent or guardian what happened. The doctor or nurse can also explain the services and treatment they provided to you.

There are also other ways your parent or legal guardian may get information. If you’re on their insurance plan, they may be notified that you received medical care. It’s also possible that you will test positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI, often called an STD). If so, the health care provider will have to tell your parent or guardian and report it to the public health department which will contact you to find out if anyone else might have it too.

Remember, you can always talk with a victim advocate to get more information before seeking medical care.