Hospitals
If you decide to go to the emergency room after a sexual assault, it’s important to know that support is available to help you navigate this experience. BARCC medical advocates are here to provide emotional support, answers to your questions, and further resources during your time at the hospital. Learn more about immediate steps to take after sexual assault.
SANE-designated Hospitals
If you decide to go to the emergency room, try to go to one that is part of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. This program has specially trained nurses who can examine you and can collect evidence. They will also call BARCC and a trained medical advocate can meet you at the hospital. You may be faced with confusing medical and legal decisions, and the medical advocate can help you through the process.
Non-SANE Hospitals
If you go to an emergency room that is not part of the SANE program, the hospital can call BARCC’s hotline for a medical advocate.
- Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Needham
- CHA Everett Hospital
- Emerson Hospital (Provides Tele-SANE services)
- Faulkner Hospital
- Lahey Clinic-Burlington
- Melrose-Wakefield Hospital
- Mt. Auburn Hospital
- New England Medical Center (NEMC)/Tufts Medical Center
- St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
- Winchester Hospital
What is “medical advocacy”?
Medical advocacy is support offered to survivors by BARCC’s trained rape crisis counselors during their visit to the hospital. After an assault, you may be faced with complex emotional, medical, and legal decisions. BARCC’s medical advocates are here to help you through this process, ensuring that you have the information and support you need to make the best decisions for yourself.
A highly-trained medical advocate is available 24/7 to provide in-person, compassionate, and knowledgeable care to survivors and their families in hospital emergency departments. Our advocates are experienced in working with survivors and understand the unique challenges that may arise after an assault. Advocates can:
- Stay with you during your emergency room visit
- Advocate for your needs with the hospital staff
- Explain sexual assault exams and evidence collection kits
- Provide information so you can make the best possible decisions for your situation
- Talk with your family or friends who come to the hospital about how to best support you
- Help you connect with a variety of resources
How do I access medical advocacy?
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program Hospitals: Emergency rooms that are part of the SANE program will call BARCC for you, and a trained medical advocate will come to meet you at the hospital.
Non-SANE Hospitals: Even if the hospital you visit is not a SANE site, you can still ask the hospital staff to call BARCC. An advocate will be able to provide you with the same level of support.
Who are BARCC’s medical advocates?
BARCC’s medical advocates are trained rape crisis counselor volunteers who understand the hospital emergency room experience. They go to the hospital hundreds of times each year, and engage in intensive and ongoing training programs. All medical advocates consistently commit to their time to providing support to survivors and their loved ones. BARCC works in cooperation with hospitals and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program to ensure that survivors get the best possible care. Learn more about how to become a medical advocate.
