Sexual Assault Forensic Exam
Lancaster General Hospital and Penn State Hershey Medical Center both have multidisciplinary teams of professionals that work with individuals that have been sexually assaulted or sexually abused, including nurses that are trained as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. These nurses have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in medical forensic care for individuals that have experienced sexual assault of abuse. The teams strives to assure that the response to a patient who has been sexually assaulted is patient-centered and compassionate, and ultimately may provide potential evidence to be used in the investigation of sexual assault. Advocates from the Lancaster YWCA and Harrisburg YWCA are available to accompany individuals to Lancaster General Hospital or Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Individuals receiving an sexual assault forensic exam can opt to pay with their health insurance or may be able to utilize the Victim Witness Compensation fund (kept confidential and not a part of the patient’s health record).