Carnegie Mellon

Medical Assistance for Women

In the aftermath of a sexual assault, one of the most immediate concerns is for the health and safety of the survivor. Female survivors of sexual assault have multiple options for medical assistance on and off-campus.

Magee-Women's Hospital Emergency Room: 412-647-4933
The following services are available to survivors of sexual assault who are treated at Magee Women’s Hospital:

• Evidence collection for rape kit
• Examination and testing for STDs
• Access to morning after pill within 72 hours of the assault
• Pregnancy testing
• Referrals for further treatment and counseling

Since sexual assault is a reportable crime, the ER staff will call the Pittsburgh Police if the survivor is not accompanied by a police officer when she arrives at the hospital. However, the survivor has the right to simply tell the police that she does not wish to pursue the assault through the courts and does not wish offer any details on the assault. If the survivor is accompanied by University Police to the ER, no other law officer needs to be called. Even if the Pittsburgh Police are called by the ER staff, they will leave when they find University Police present. If the survivor is not accompanied by an advocate from the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime or Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, one will be contacted by the ER staff.

If evidence is collected, the specimen collection will include:

• Photos of the physical trauma
• Head hair and pubic hair combings
• Fingernail scrapings
• Oral, rectal, and vaginal cultures and smears with specimens sent to crime lab for DNA testing and to the Allegheny County Health Department for STD testing
• Blood draws for syphilis testing and crime lab testing
• Clothing worn at the time of the crime

If the survivor is wearing the clothes from the assault at the hospital, it is helpful to bring a change of clothes for her.

If the survivor prefers to change clothes before going to the hospital, place a newspaper on the floor and have the survivor stand on it when removing clothing. Place both the newspaper and clothing in a paper bag and bring it with you to the hospital.

Student Health Services: 412-268-2157
The following services are available to survivors of sexual assault who are treated at Student Health Services:

• Examination and testing for STDs
• Access to morning after pill within 72 hours of the assault
• Pregnancy testing
• Referrals for further treatment and counseling