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Sexual Assault and Forensic Evaluation

About

The Sexual Assault and Forensic Evaluation clinic works with advocacy, law enforcement, the crime lab and the district attorney office to bring justice to our community; we are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for our community

The SAFE Clinic offers a private, safe setting with a multidisciplinary staff dedicated to helping Riverside County residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The SAFE Clinic team works with support services, law enforcement, the crime lab and the Riverside County District Attorney to care for survivors and bring justice to the community.

Clinic Staff & Services

Forensic Medical Director

Sophia Grant, MD

SAFE Clinic Nurse Coordinator

Yvonne Bennett, RN, BSN, JD, SANE-A, SANE-P

Forensic Nurse Examiners

Forensic nurses are specially trained to provide care and support.

Pharmacy

Provides pregnancy prophylaxis medication as well as medication(s) to treat sexually transmitted infections at little to no cost to the patient.

Advocacy

Riverside Area Rape Crisis and REACH

The SAFE Clinic provides a variety of exams intended to help survivors of sexual and physical assault. The exams are voluntary and conducted at no cost to the patient.

Sexual Assault

SART Exam (Sexual Assault Examination)

This exam is intended for individuals who have been forced, coerced or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity. This could include marital, partner, date or acquaintance rape; incest; child sexual assault; statutory rape; ritual abuse; or sexual exploitation. Survivors of sexual assault can have a SART exam within 120 hours (five days) from the time of assault. Pregnancy tests, prophylaxis medication and tests for sexually transmitted infections are provided at no cost. Survivors are connected with advocates from community groups who provide support and assist with any questions they may have.

VAWA / Restricted Reporting Exams

Survivors of sexual assault who do not want to report the incident can participate in a restricted reporting exam. These exams can be conducted up to 120 hours (five days) after the assault. Pregnancy tests, prophylaxis medication and tests for sexually transmitted infections are provided at no cost. Survivors are connected with community group advocates.

Physical Assault

Forensic Assault Examination (FAX)

A physical assault survivor can request a Forensic Assault Examination (FAX), where forensic evidence is collected, up to 120 hours (five days) from the time of assault. Survivors of this kind of assault are also connected with advocates.

Domestic Assault Forensic Examination

A domestic violence survivor can have this type of exam conducted up to 120 hours (five days) from the time of the assault. The SAFE team provides community and legal resources to help survivors.

How We Respond to Strangulation

Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of violence. Unconsciousness can occur within seconds and death within minutes. When perpetrators choke (strangle) their victims, not only is this felonious assault, but it may be an attempted homicide. Strangulation is an ultimate form of power and control where the batterer can demonstrate control over the victim's next breath. It can have devastating psychological effects or a potentially fatal outcome.

  • Riverside University Health System – Medical Center is one of the only hospitals in the region with an established strangulation protocol to ensure patients are medically safe.
  • Recent patients have had a stroke, a carotid artery dissection, and a brain aneurysm — none of these would have been found without RUHS following the protocol.
  • The impacts of strangulation can manifest up to seven days after the assault.
  • Lack of exterior injury does not mean that internal injuries are not present.

Riverside University Health Systems is located at: 26520 Cactus Avenue Moreno Valley, CA 92555. Our telephone number is (951) 486-5514 or you can call the main number at (951) 486-4000 and ask for the SAFE Clinic.

Patients with medical needs will be seen in the Emergency Department prior to a forensic exam:  

  • Consent, medical history and history of events will be documented.  

  • Cotton swabs will be used for evidence collection based on the patient’s history.  

  • Photographs may be taken of any injuries related to the assault.  

  • Females may receive a speculum exam if needed based on history of the assault.  

  • An anoscope exam may be needed, based on history of the assault.  

  • Blood and urine will be collected if needed based on history.  

  • Sexually transmitted infection and HIV testing and treatment will be done if needed based on your history.  

  • Pregnancy testing and emergency contraception will be offered based on your history.  

  • Patient advocacy, social services, and pharmacy will also be available during your visit.  

For Strangulation Survivors  

Due to the extreme danger of strangulation, a patient may be seen in the Emergency Department prior to a forensic exam. The Emergency Department visit may be billed to insurance. Measurements of the patient’s neck as well as specific photographs of the neck, eyes, ears and throat may be taken. Safety planning and danger assessment documentation may be provided if needed. Neck measurement documentation, safety planning, and danger assessment documentation, if needed.  

How to care for a patient that was sexually assaulted:

  • Start by believing the survivor.
  • Be patient.
  • Prior to the Forensic exam, preserve evidence by not allowing shower, bathe, eat, or utilize cleansing cloths.
  • If they change into a hospital gown, place their clothing in a paper bag for evidence preservation.
  • Do not ask your patient what occurred if it is not medically necessary.

For RUHS staff: Please refer to policy HW626 (Hyperlink: HW 626 Abuse Neglect Violence Assessment Reporting.pdf (sharepoint.com) 

If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Clinic (951) 486-5514.

Frequent Asked Questions FAQ

Expect to be at the hospital for 2-4 hours, depending on the exam and extent of injuries.

Your kit may take 4 months or more to be resulted, you would receive the information from the law enforcement agency that took the report.

To track your forensic evidence kit, contact the California Department of Justice Victims’ Services Unit at 877-433-9069, by email at victimservices@doj.ca.gov or visit the Department of Justice SAFE-T database portal at: https://kitstatus.doj.ca.gov/.

If you know their name, you can obtain this information on: Vinklink.vineapps.com/state/CA

MyPlan helps people determine if an intimate relationship is unsafe and if so, develop an action plan for safety. Download the app myPlanApp.org

  • Riverside Human Trafficking taskforce at 855-758-3733
  • Not in Riverside County? Call the national human trafficking hotline at:  888-373-7888
  • Go to a safe place.
  • Seek medical attention if needed.
  • In an effort to preserve evidence, if possible, DO NOT: Change clothing, take a shower, wipe or clean dried blood, and don’t put on make up to cover injury.
  • Notify the police or come to the hospital.
  • Do not speak to your attacker.
  • Take some time to care for yourself.
  • Contact the advocate center for counseling and other resources.
  • Riverside Area Rape Crisis: (951) 686-7273
  • REACH (833) 475-8326 (San Jacinto / Hemet)
  • Contact the law enforcement agency where you reported for case updates.
  • The forensic nurse set up a follow up phone call with you during your exam. Between now and then if you think of any questions write them down.
  • Effects of being strangled can manifest up to 7 days after the assault
  • Lack of exterior injury does not mean there is no internal injury
  • We encourage you to go to the RUHS Emergency Department and tell them you were strangled so they can follow the strangulation protocol to ensure you are medically safe.
  • Recent patients have had a stroke, a carotid artery dissection, and a brain aneurysm– none of which would have been found without RUHS following the Strangulation Protocol
  • Studies show that if a victim of domestic abuse is strangled, the chances of being killed by their abuser increases by 700%