Medical Information

Your Initial Medical Examination
If you want to report the crime now or in the future, you need a forensic medical examination. For a forensic exam, we recommend:

     The Keller Center for Family Violence
     San Mateo County General Hospital (CHOPE)
     222 West 39th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
     Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm (650) 573-2623
     General Hospital Number (650) 573-2222

They have been carefully trained to deliver expert and sensitive care. They will make every attempt to combine their initial questioning with the police interview in order to reduce the number of times you must tell your story in an environment strange to you. If you decide to report, the police will pay for most aspects of the medical exam. Reporting also makes it likely that the Victim Witness Program will pay for any part of the exam not covered by the police.

A medical exam is essential to treat for possible injuries, pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A common error survivors make when they know the perpetrator is to assume that STIs are not an issue. It is never safe to make this assumption.

Follow-up Medical Care
Follow up care is very important in the process of taking care of yourself. The initial examination usually involves only "baseline" tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If the initial examination is conducted shortly after the assault, most STIs won't be evident. The medical personnel at the exam should inform you when you need to return for the critical follow-up tests. You will need to make at least two appointments for further treatment. The first is to test for most STIs and should be at 10 days to two weeks following the assault. The second appointment is at six weeks to two months to test for possible syphilis and HIV infection.

Remember you have the right to have a sexual assault advocate (someone who has been specially trained to support you and answer any questions) from RTS present during your exam. We are here for you 24 hours a day.

Please call our 24-hour Hotline: (650) 692-RAPE (7273).