All details recorded during a SANE exam are documented in a secure program separate from U-M Health medical records. They will not be accessible to other health care providers. In addition, there is an option to have these services paid for through a confidential program so that your insurance company is not notified of your exam. 

Yes. The evidence we offer to collect is stored in a kit sometimes referred to as a “rape kit.”

No problem. Sometimes, people cannot remember everything that happened and are unsure if a sexual assault occurred. Others have had experiences that are confusing and they are not sure if what happened is officially a sexual assault. We are happy to meet with anyone who has concerns related to a sexual encounter or is worried a sexual assault may have occurred. We will answer your questions and decide together what steps to take next. 

There is no cost to you for the exam or medications we give you to prevent pregnancy and/or STIs. We will either bill your insurance or a confidential service through the state of Michigan to cover these costs. There will not be a co-pay or charges against your deductible if insurance is billed. Costs may apply to treatment for injuries or for outpatient medications filled by a pharmacy. Our billing department will work with you on any financial concerns.

If abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a minor under age 18 is suspected, a report must be made to child protection services or the police. A member of our team will initiate this report, which will start an investigation into the minor’s safety.

Violent acts resulting in injury must also be reported, however, participating in an investigation of these acts is voluntary. Reporting other assaults to the police is optional. Our team will discuss your rights and the services available to you and you will be able to decide if you would like to report the assault or not. It is also OK to wait and decide about reporting at a later date. 

If more than five days have passed, please call The Safe House Center at 734-973-0242 or visit https://www.safehousecenter.org/. They can provide you with health advice, support group information, counseling or legal assistance. You also may go to your county health department or Planned Parenthood for pregnancy and STI testing or to see a health care provider.

If you would like to be seen here at a U-M Health outpatient clinic, please call the obstetrics and gynecology department at 734-763-6295 or your primary care provider, to make an appointment. Our team of health care providers and social workers are happy to help you. 

Yes, you may bring your child in for an exam, even if you are unsure of what has happened or if the child shares that the incident was consensual but you are concerned the perpetrator was exploiting your child. We recommend an exam any time a person over the age of 18 engages in sexual activity with someone under the age of 18. People who have begun to menstruate, and do not have a disability or developmental delay that changes their ability to provide consent, have the right to make their own decision about evidence collection and medical treatment related to assault. For males and others without the capacity to menstruate, the age of accountability for medical consent related to assault is 13.

If a parent and child disagree about evidence collection or medical care, our team will meet with the parents and youth to work towards the most optimal process that protects the youth’s confidentiality, autonomy and health. The youth may decide to have a parent present, or to have them step out, during the physical exam. We recommend that parents step out during collection of a statement regarding the incident. 

Yes, you may bring anyone you like with you to the exam. If you choose to leave a statement of the incident for the sake of evidence, we suggest that all your companions step out during this time to improve the validity of the evidence. Ultimately, though, we allow whichever companions you want to be with you at all times.