HonorHealth Forensic nursing services primarily serves victims and survivors through providing forensic exams. A forensic exam, sometimes called a SANE Exam or a Rape Kit, collects evidence following an experience of sexual assault.
Honor Health Forensic nursing services collaborates with cities across Maricopa County to ensure exams are conducted in trauma-informed spaces within Family Advocacy Centers. Honor Health Forensic nursing services holds a contract with Maricopa County to provide all forensic exams. Exams are not conducted in hospital settings, except in the case of emergencies and health concerns that require immediate attention.
If you report sexual assault to a police department, they will ask you if you’d like to have a forensic exam done if the assault happened within the last five days or 120 hours. If you decide to have an exam done, they will work with the forensic nurse to have the exam done in a Family Advocacy Center. There are multiple Family Advocacy Centers located throughout Maricopa County, learn more about them on the Maricopa County Family Advocacy Centers webpage.
Depending on where the sexual assault took place, victim advocates from the local city may be available to support you during the forensic exam and explain your options. Regardless of where the assault took place, ASU victim advocates can provide support.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization also states that any victim can receive a forensic exam, regardless of whether or not they choose to report to a police department. These exams, referred to as VAWA exams, also need to be conducted within five days or 120 hours of the experience. In Maricopa County, a VAWA exam can be scheduled with HonorHealth by calling 480-312-6339. VAWA exams are medical forensic exams that don’t involve reporting to police.
