Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our team of certified forensic nurses offer domestic violence/intimate partner violence assessment and exams, sexual assault exams, medical care and referrals, and strangulation assessments. Give us a call to understand your options.

    Call us 24/7 512-881-3401

  • A medical forensic typically takes about 2-4 hours. Our team is dedicated to focusing on your priorities and will explain each step of the exam process. You are in control.

  • Yes. Even if you have already changed clothes, washed or showered, brushed your teeth, or had something to eat or drink, you can still get an exam. If you have not done these things, waiting until after your exam may help to save evidence. If you have any questions, please contact us.

  • You have options. If you are over 18, you do not have to report to police to receive care. If you don’t want to report to police, you can complete a non-report forensic exam.

    This means evidence is collected and stored for up to 5 years at the Texas Department of Public Safety warehouse or you can opt to have evidence from an exam tested for foreign DNA material by the crime lab at no cost even if a report of the offense has not been made to law enforcement.

    You can decide when reporting to law enforcement is right for you. Your stored kit or test results will be available for five years from the date of your exam.

  • If you think you might have been drugged, our nurses can collect blood and/or urine if you decide to report to law enforcement. We are not able to provide drug testing at the time of the exam.

    Some people opt to use over the counter drug tests or ask to have their blood and urine tested at a private lab or hospital. It is important to know that these tests may not detect the drugs you were given and may or may not be useable as legal evidence.

  • We can help you access medicine to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.

    You can receive this care with or without a forensic exam.

  • Call our team at 24/7 at 512-881-3401

  • What is an advocate?

    A confidential community advocate is a person who can help you understand your options. You have the legal right to an advocate if one is available. They can answer your questions and provide you with options to decide what next steps are right for you. 

    Confidential community advocates do not work for law enforcement or hospitals. They will not share anything about you with anyone else, unless they hear of harm to someone of a protected class, such as a minor or someone over the age of 65.

  • A trauma-informed approach to care acknowledges that health care organizations and care teams need to have a complete picture of a patient’s life situation — past and present — in order to provide effective health care services with a healing orientation.

  • Yes. If having a support person present makes you feel safer or more comfortable, please bring them. 


  • Informed consent is the foundation of everything we do. You are in control of your exam and we will provide information about each step throughout the exam. You can say no — or stop — at any time, for any reason.

  • Yes. It’s normal to not remember or have gaps in memory. A forensic exam cannot determine whether or not you were assaulted, but we can still complete an exam and take care of your body.

  • We see patients of all ages, genders, backgrounds, races. Our clinic is here for everyone.

    Can I just get medical care?

    Yes. You do not have to get a forensic exam after being assaulted.


    For medical care, you might want someone to assess your body and ensure it’s healthy and normal. You might also want to take medications to prevent STIs and pregnancy.

    As mandatory reporters in Texas, If you are under 18 or over 65, we may have to make a report to law enforcement or CPS/APS.

  • Under Texas law, sexual assault kits (rape kits) that are sent to a crime lab must be analyzed within 90 days if there is adequate personnel. Texas has a program called Track-kit that allows you to track the progress of your kit https://tx.track-kit.us/Login

  • Here is some of what you can expect during an evidence collection exam.

    A brief medical history: These are questions about how you’re feeling and your health and help the nurse take care of you.

    A history of the assault: The nurse will ask about what happened during the assault. It’s okay if you don’t remember everything. It helps the nurse provide the best treatment options and where to collect evidence from your body.

    Physical evidence collection: The nurse can document injuries and collect swabs from your body. Everything is optional. It’s okay to skip parts and pick and choose what is right for you.

    Medical care: We offer medicines that can prevent sexually transmitted infections or reduce the possibility of pregnancy. The nurse can talk to you about options.

    Safety planning: We want to make sure you feel safe and supported before you leave our care. Our nurses and advocates can discuss resources and ways to make you feel safer.

    You can choose what you do during an exam, regardless of reporting status or age.

  • No. We won’t charge you for an exam or medical care. Our services are free.

    If you are seen at a hospital or other healthcare facility they may charge you for care you received. There are reimbursement resources in Texas that can help with additional costs related the care you received in healthcare facilities that your advocate can talk to you about.

  • We work with community partners to refer you for free or low cost HIV/STI medications and testing.

    We are looking to expand our testing at the time of the exam.