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(432) 640-4000
(432) 640-4000
(432) 640-4000

What to do if you have been assaulted!

Sexual assault can happen to anyone. If you become a victim of sexual assault you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Medical Center Hospital offers the following tips should you become a victim of sexual assault:

  • Go to a safe place and call someone you trust
  • Go to the nearest hospital with a sexual-assault nurse examiner program (see below) or call 9-1-1
  • Do not change clothes but bring a change of clothes to the hospital
  • Do not shower, bathe or douche
  • Do not brush hair or teeth
  • If possible do not eat, drink or go to the bathroom
  • Do not smoke
  • If you have done any of the above it is OK! It is still recommended to seek medical services to make sure you are alright. A sexual-assault medical forensic examination can be done several days after the incident.

Sexual-assault medical forensic examinations can be conducted up to 120 hours after the assault. Past 120 hours, it may be done at the discretion of law enforcement officers.

You may choose to do a non-report sexual-assault medical forensic examination. In other words, you do not have to report the sexual assault to law enforcement until you feel safe to do so. A non-report sexual-assault medical forensic examination can be conducted up to 120 hours after the assault. Once it's reported to law enforcement it is to their discretion if a SANE exam is warranted for the investigation. The anonymous non-report evidence kit will be held up to five years by the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab.

Help is available! Reach out to one of the following:

Elementary Student/Junior High Student/High School Student

  • An adult you trust (if an adult doesn’t help then tell another trusted adult)
  • School Counselor
  • School Police
  • Teacher
  • Parent
  • School Nurse
  • Adult Family Member
  • Harmony Home
  • Children s Advocacy Center (432) 333-5233
  • ECISD
  • Medical Center Hospital Emergency Department
  • Local Police officer/department

College Student

  • An adult you trust (if an adult doesn’t help then tell another trusted adult)
  • School Counselor
  • School Police
  • Teacher
  • Parent
  • School Nurse
  • Harmony Home, Children s Advocacy Center (432) 333-5233
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656- HOPE
  • Crisis Center of West Texas (Adults) (432)333-2527
  • Odessa College
  • UTPB
  • Medical Center Hospital Emergency Department
  • Local Police Officer/Department
  • OPD (432) 335-3641
  • ECSO (432) 335-3050

Adult

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656- HOPE
  • Crisis Center of West Texas (432) 333-2527
  • Medical Center Hospital Emergency Department
  • Local Police Officer/Department
  • OPD (432) 335-3641
  • ECSO (432) 335-3050
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