- For up to a week after sexual assault, you can receive medical assistance from a number of hospitals which have centers dedicated to the treatment of victims of sexual assault (for a complete list, see below). The centers operate 24 hours a day, and have an experienced and professional staff that are trained to provide the appropriate treatment, with care and sensitivity, and will answer your needs as a victim of sexual assault.
- The purpose of the medical examination is to check your health, recommend a course of treatment and collect evidence if you decide to file a complaint.
- If you do not live near one of these centers, you can go to any hospital and receive medical treatment. It is important to know that they will not collect evidence in every hospital, in case you want to report the incident to the police.
- The examination process at the hospital won't be easy and is likely to be long. You do not have to go through it alone! You can turn to the local rape crisis center, and a volunteer will accompany you throughout the entire process.
Services Offered at Centers for the Treatment of Victims of Sexual Assault
- Accompaniment and guidance of a social worker for you and your family. The social worker provides emotional guidance and explanations of the medical process in the hospital.
- An initial examination with a nurse.
- A complete gynecological examination providing recommendations for further treatment according to the situation.
- Treatment of physical injuries.
- Treatment to prevent pregnancy.
- Treatment to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
- A psychological assessment and recommendations for further mental health treatment.
- Collection of evidence that will help you if you decide to report the incident to the police (so you do not to have to go to the police station). Some centers will hold onto your evidence for up to three months from the moment of the assault, in order to allow you time to think and recover before submitting a report. It is important to note that not all centers provide this service.
It is important for you to know:
- If you decide to go to the hospital immediately after the attack and would like them to take evidence to use in future legal processes against the attacker – do not shower first, and bring the clothes you were wearing during the attack.
- Try to go to the center immediately after the attack – the initial medical treatment and collection of evidence is much more efficient closer to the time of the attack.
- If you did not turn to the center within the first 72 hours, you can still receive partial medical assistance up to a week after the incident.
- If possible – call the center before you go. You can then receive help and support from volunteers from the local rape crisis centers who are in constant contact with the meducal treatment centers.
Your rights throughout the medical examination
- It is your right to complete privacy throughout the entire process
- It is your right to receive information about the medical and bureaucratic processes you should expect.
- It is your right to be accompanied by a family member, friend or volunteer from the local rape crisis center.
- It is your right to refuse any examinations that you are not comfortable with.
- It is your right to be examined by the doctor of your choice. It is important to know that when there is no doctor on call – there will be a longer wait time.
- The hospital is required to report all incidents of sexual assault they treat to the police, however it is your right not to submit a report or to testify. If you want, you can file a complaint at a police station at a later time.
List of Treatment Centers:
- Beer Sheva: Soroka University Medical Center – Sderot Reger, P.O. Box 151, Beer Sheva (approved by the Ministry of Health). Phone: 08-6400111.
- Haifa: 'Room 10' at Bnai Zion Medical Center, 47 Eliyahu Golomb St., Hadar Elion, Haifa (approved by the Ministry of Health). Phone: 04-8359174.
- Holon: 'Room 4' at Wolfson Medical Center, 62 Halochamim, Holon (approved by the Ministry of Health) Phone: 03-5028313, 03-5028315, 035018317
- Jerusalem: 'Bat-Ami' at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem (approved by the Ministry of Health). Phone: 02-6422758, 02-6777222
- Naharia: 'The Friendly Room' at the Galilee Medical Center – Located on Route 89 Naharia – Cabri (across from Moshav Ben-Ami). Phone: 04-9521505.
- Netanya: For women only. Laniado Hospital, 16 Divrei Haim, Kiryat Sanz Netanya. Phone: 09-8609219, 09-8609567.
- Poriya: 'Merkaz Tana' at the Baruch Pada Medical Center, Ramat Poriya, Route 768 near Tiberias (approved by the Ministry of Health). Phone: 04-6652481.