It is important for victims to know what to do in the event that he or she is sexually assaulted.
“Rape is never the victim’s fault. No one will treat you like it’s your fault. You've got to call 9-1-1. You've got to come in,” said Kristy Dutton, director of emergency services at Good Samaritan Hospital.
When a person is a victim of sexual assault, the traumatic experience doesn’t end when the attacker leaves. A victim in Vincennes, who reports a rape, will be taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where they will go through a rape exam. Dutton stresses that the victim should call the police immediately and should not do anything to change their appearance.
“The most important thing is to Call 911,” said Dutton. “Where the clothes you were wearing when you were attacked, and come immediately to the hospital. Lots of DNA evidence will be on there. The big thing that women or men do, that we don't want them to do is take a shower.”
Dutton says that often the victim will feel so much shame and fear that they will take a shower and change clothes. She says victims should leave the crime scene immediately without touching anything. Dutton goes on to explain what will happen when the victim gets to the hospital.
“They are taken right back. They don't have to wait. They'll be a female nurse always who will talk about their story. There will be a rape exam that includes a kit. We can try to collect evidence from that,” Dutton said.
The kit is used to collect a variety of information. The hospital will conduct a vaginal exam, collect saliva samples, look for semen on the clothing, get hair fibers and treat any other problems that may have occurred from the attack. Pictures are often taken especially if there is a lot of visual damage such as bite marks or scratches.
“All of it we have to seal and that is given directly to the police. We can't leave that sitting around,” Dutton said.
Apart from the physical problems of being sexually assaulted, Good Samaritan will also manage the emotional impact.
“We offer crises prevention,” said Dutton. “We call Samaritan center. We usually try to set up counseling for the patient. I really recommend that person be involved in counseling. It is very traumatic. We have female counselors that are very good.”
There were 248,300 sexual assaults in 2007, according to U.S. Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey the country's largest and most reliable crime study. While Dutton says that Good Samaritan treats at least one sexual assault every year, the number is not high.
“We don’t have a high number, but you know one a year is too many,” Dutton said.
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