Obtaining a Massachusetts Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit, or MSAECK (also known as "rape kit”), is the best way to preserve evidence if you think you may want to report the assault at any time in the future.
- You do not need to undergo an evidence collection exam.
- If you wish to have evidence collected, you do not need to report the assault in order to have the exam.
- Evidence can be collected up to 5 days after your assault.
- If you have clothing or items that may have evidence on them, you can bring them to the hospital or police department for testing.
- The process is free to survivors.
Your safety is the top priority.
- If you can, try to get away from the person who assaulted you and find a safe place as quickly as possible.
- If you are comfortable doing so, call 911 for emergency medical assistance.
- If you think you may want to report the incident at any time in the future, you can help preserve any possible evidence by not washing, combing, or cleaning any part of your body. If possible, do not change your clothes.
Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault.
- This can be difficult after a sexual assault, and the choice is yours about any of these steps. The more evidence is saved, the more options you have in the future.
If you are in pain or think you have injuries, go to your nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible.
- You deserve to be treated for any injuries, and given options about possible sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy. Whether or not you go to the hospital right away, it’s important to follow-up with a check up at a doctor’s office or health clinic in the next few weeks.
- If you don’t want to tell the doctor about the sexual assault, you can still get tested for sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy and have a check up to make sure you are physically okay.
- Hospital emergency rooms are required by law to offer emergency contraception to people who have experienced a sexual assault.
You have the right to request a consultation with a sexual assault victim advocate. You can speak with the advocate prior to the administration of a sexual assault evidence collection kit or an interview with a law enforcement officer regarding the assault.
The decision of whether to report a sexual assault to law enforcement is up to you.
- If you choose to report the assault to law enforcement, you do not need to write out your report or go to the law enforcement agency, although you may do so.
- If you choose to report a sexual assault, your kit will be tested at a crime lab.
- If you choose not to report a sexual assault, your kit will not be tested but will be stored appropriately by the law enforcement agency in the city or town where the assault occurred. Your kit will only be tested if you decide to report the sexual assault to law enforcement.
