Sexual Assault Services

Medical Care and Other Support After Sexual Assault

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, there are many resources available at Mines and in the community ready to offer free and confidential help and support. Assault is never the fault of the survivor. On this page you will find these resources including services provided and how to reach out.

Know Where to Go: Overview of Medical Care Options

***All of the above resources are confidential: reporting to law enforcement/campus authorities is not required***

AM I READY TO TALK?

No, not yet:
Everyone processes these experiences differently. Resources are available at anytime.

Yes, I am ready to talk:
Your options depend on when the incident occurred and what services you would like to access:

Time of Incident 5 Days or less:

  1. I would like medical care and evidence collection (Medical Forensic Exam)
    St. Anthony’s Hospital System (2 locations)
    SANHC: St. Anthony North Health Campus: 14300 Orchard Parkway: Westminster, CO 80023
    SAH: St. Anthony’s Main Health Campus 11600 W 2ndPlace: Lakewood, CO 80228
    Available 24/7/365
    *Survivors access exam by going to Emergency Department and requesting a MFE or SANE exam
    *Exams are performed up to 5 days after assault

    Denver Health MFE Program
    777 Bannock Street
    Denver, CO 80204
    303-602-8100
    Available 24/7/365
    *Survivors access exam by going to Emergency Department and requesting a MFE or SANE exam
    *Exams are performed up to 7 days after assault

    Porchlight Family Justice Center
    11100 W. 8th Avenue, Suite 200
    Lakewood, CO 80215
    720-853-8850
    *Survivors access exam by walking in Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
    *Exams performed up to 5 days after assault.

  2.  I only want medical care (no evidence collection)
    On Campus Resource:
    Mines Student Health Center
    303-273-3381
    Check website for hours/details
    Most care is fee regardless of insurance

    Off Campus Resources:
    -Planned Parenthood
    -Your primary care/OBGYN
    -St. Anthony’s ER (24/7/365)
    -Denver Health ER (24/7/365)
    -Porchlight Family Justice Center

Time of Incident More Than 5 Days Ago:

On Campus Resource:

Mines Student Health Center
-303-273-3381
-Check website for hours/details
-Most care is fee regardless of insurance

Off Campus Resources:
-Planned Parenthood
-Your primary care/OBGYN

Medical Services Available at the SHC

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, receiving medical care can be an important part of the healing process and for long term physical and mental health. When you are ready, the SHC can provide medical evaluation, care and treatment after an experience of assault, no matter when the assault took place.

The care we provide is:

  • Confidential
  • Trauma-informed
  • Survivor centered
  • Evidenced based
  • Inclusive
  • Non-judgmental

 

When receiving medical care after assault, the type of care recommended by the provider is based on several factors including how long ago the assault occurred and any symptoms or health concerns. Survivors and providers work together to determine a plan of care based on this information, survivor comfort/preferences and evidence-based recommendations.

 

In some cases, it is recommended that you receive emergency medical attention at the Emergency Department after assault, specifically if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • Possible fractures, severe head injury or severe injury to abdomen
  • Disorientation, confusion, loss of consciousness or signs of severe intoxication.
  • Active, heavy bleeding
  • Signs of strangulation or if you had sustained pressure on the neck or strangulation during the incident
    • **Seek medical care right away, even if you do not have any physical symptoms or visible injury as serious injury may be present**
  • Pregnancy, especially over 20 weeks
  • Thoughts of ending your life or hurting others or any other severe mental health crisis

 

The SHC provides the following medical care free of charge for all survivors, without using insurance:

  • Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) (including follow up testing)
  • Medication for treatment of chlamydia, gonorrhea, trich
  • Emergency Contraception for use up to 5 days post assault.
  • Referrals for on or off campus support: Title IX , academics, Student Outreach and Support Services (SOS), victim advocates, mental health care

 

Additional Services at the SHC are available (costs may apply)

  • Prescriptions for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
  • Other emergency contraceptive methods (prescriptions or referrals as indicated)
  • Immunizations (HPV, hepatitis B)

Medical Forensic Exams

After experiencing a sexual assault, you have the choice to undergo a Medical Forensic Exam (MFE), also known as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) forensic exam. MFEs can be performed five to seven days after an assault, depending on which hospital you go to. Choosing to have a Medical Forensic Exam does not require you to formally report anything to law enforcement or participate in a law enforcement investigation.

If you have questions, want to talk through your options or need help arranging transportation, you can contact one of the following confidential resources:

What is a Medical Forensic Exam?
A Medical Forensic Exam (MFE) is performed by a specially trained, registered nurse called a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). It is tailored to provide survivors of sexual assault with trauma-informed medical treatment, and to collect forensic evidence in the event a survivor chooses to report to law enforcement. Typical exams last anywhere from two to six hours. Usually a MFE will include the following:

  • A review of your medical history
  • A discussion about what happened during the assault
  • A full physical exam to assess for injury.
  • Evidence Collection
  • Photographs of any injuries sustained during the assault
  • Treatment to prevent sexually transmitted infections
  • Pregnancy prevention, if applicable

 

You have the right to decline any part of the MFE and go at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Local Medical Forensic Exam Providers

St. Anthony’s Hospital System (2 locations)
SANHC: St. Anthony North Health Campus: 14300 Orchard Parkway: Westminster, CO 80023
SAH: St. Anthony’s Main Health Campus 11600 W 2nd Place: Lakewood, CO 80228
Available 11a-7p by appointment (see below)
*Survivors access exam by calling 303-430-2468, will receive a call back within 24 hours
*Exams are performed up to 5 days after assault

Denver Health MFE Program
777 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80204
303-602-8100
Available 24/7/365
*Survivors access exam by going to Emergency Department and requesting a MFE or SANE exam
*Exams are performed up to 7 days after assault

Porchlight Family Justice Center
11100 W. 8th Avenue, Suite 200
Lakewood, CO 80215
720-853-8850
*Survivors access exam by walking in Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
*Exams performed up to 5 days after assault.

MFE Reporting Options

In the state of Colorado, if you are an adult and choose to undergo an MFE, you have three reporting options. Survivors can change their mind about their reporting option at any time during and after the exam.

  1. Anonymous Report – You can choose to undergo an MFE but not to participate in the criminal justice process by filing an anonymous report. This allows for evidence storage only, and no identifying information will be provided to law enforcement.
  2. Medical Report – You can choose to undergo an MFE but not to participate in the criminal justice process by filing a medical report. This leaves you the option to have the evidence tested. Your name and other identifying information will be shared with law enforcement, but no investigation will be initiated.
  3. Law Enforcement Report – You can choose to obtain an MFE and to participate in the criminal justice process by filing a law enforcement report. You will be given the opportunity to meet with a police officer at the hospital.

Tips for Preserving Evidence

To prepare for a MFE, you can take the following steps to help preserve evidence:

  • Avoid bathing/showering
  • Avoid douching
  • If you can, wait to use the restroom until the hospital can take a urine sample
  • Avoid changing clothes but if you do, place any clothing or bedding in a bag (brown paper bag is preferred but any bag will work).
  • Avoid combing hair
  • Avoid cleaning up the area on your body where the assault occurred

**It is normal to perform any of the activities above that are recommended to avoid after experiencing a sexual assault. Survivors can still have an exam even if these activities have been done!**

Confidential Resources Available at Mines

  • SHAPE (Sexual Harassment and Assault Advocacy, Prevention and Education) Office at Mines: Speak to a confidential resource advocate
  • Mines Student Health Center: speak to a health care provider
  • Mines Counseling Center: speak to a licensed mental health counselor

Confidential Resources Available in the Community

  • The Blue Bench
  • Victim Outreach Incorporated (VOI)
  • Medical Care Off Campus
    • Anthony’s Hospital System (2 locations)
      • SANHC: St. Anthony North Health Campus: 14300 Orchard Parkway: Westminster, CO 80023
      • SAH: St. Anthony Main Health Campus: 11600 W 2ndPlace: Lakewood, CO 80228
      • Available 24/7/365
      • *Survivors access exam by going to Emergency Department and requesting a MFE or SANE exam
      • Exams provided up to 5 days after assault.
    • Denver Health Hospital
      • 777 Bannock Street Denver, CO 80204
      • 303-602-8100
      • Available 24/7/365
      • *Survivors access exam by going to Emergency Department and requesting a MFE or SANE exam
      • Exams provided up to 7 days after assault.
    • Porchlight Family Justice Center
      • 11100 W. 8th Avenue, Suite 200 Lakewood, CO 80215
      • 720-853-8850
      • *Survivors access exam by walking in Monday – Friday 830 am-430pm
      • Exams provided up to 5 days after assault.
    • Colorado Crisis Services
    • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Resource)