Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do rape crisis centers offer services free of charge?
Yes. All services offered by rape crisis centers, including 24-hour counseling, advocates, court escorts, individual counseling and advocacy are free. If you have a rape exam done in an emergency room, the hospital can be reimbursed by Alabama Crime Victims compensation commission. For the treatments, tests, etc. related to the rape.
Q: What are advocates?
An advocate is a rape crisis center volunteer who meets rape survivors at the hospital or Rape Crisis facility for the completion of the rape exam. Advocates provide information and support to rape victims, they can call family members or friends, speak with family or friends, sit with the rape survivors through the exam and often can explain procedures and what the survivor can expect.
Q: How do I get an advocate?
If you have contacted the police, they may call the rape crisis center for you otherwise you can call the rape crisis hotline and ask for a volunteer to meet you at the hospital or Rape Crisis facility. Volunteers are standing by 24 hours a day to meet you!
Q What happens once I get to the hospital / Rape Crisis facility?
You will be taken to the Emergency Department, unless a Rape Crisis program exists in your community. You may have to wait if there are critically ill patients who have life threatening injuries. You will check into the emergency room as usual and a nurse or doctor will see you as soon as possible to give you a medical exam and collect the rape kit.
Q: What is the rape exam?
The rape exam is the collection of evidence off of a rape survivor’s body. It can be a time consuming exam taking 2-3 hours to complete. The rape kit contains a standardized kit of instructions and materials for collection of forensic evidence. The evidence collected can be very important in the successful prosecution of rapists. If at all possible, do not eat, drink, go to the bathroom, shower or change clothes before having the rape kit. All of these things remove important evidence. Rape kits are usually not collected if more than 72 hours (3 days) have passed since the rape.
Q: Will I have to pay for the hospital bills?
No. It’s the law that no rape survivor should have to pay for the rape kit out of their own pocket, your insurance may be charged. Also, you may be charged for the treatment of some medical injuries, but many of these charges will be covered by Crime Victims Compensation on a reimbursement basis. Please ask your rape crisis center volunteer, call a rape crisis center or contact Crime Victims Compensation to learn more about this option.
Q: Should I have an exam if it has been more than 72 hours (3 days) since the rape?
Yes, you should seek medical attention even if it has been more than 72 hours since the rape. All rape survivors need to be checked for internal injuries, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy no matter how long it’s been since the rape.
Q: What happens after the rape exam?
If the police were not notified before the exam, they will most likely be called and will be present after the exam. They might take a short statement at the hospital and require you to make a formal statement at a later date or they might require an immediate formal statement at the police station. The rape crisis center volunteer will know the protocol for your area.
Q: What if I’m not sure if I want to report the rape?
This is a common concern and a difficult decision. Remember, reporting is not the same as filing charges. ACAR encourages survivors not to make this decision alone. Please talk with a close friend or call the rape crisis hotline to talk with a counselor.