Get Medical Attention

If you have experienced sexual assault or dating or domestic violence, we encourage you to seek immediate medical attention, even if you’re not sure if you have any physical injuries.

Forensic Examination:

  • We encourage you to consider getting a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE exam) at a local hospital. During this exam you will be treated for any medical issues, and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE nurse) will also collect forensic evidence. Collecting forensic evidence in no way obligates you to make a report with Lafayette or to the police, but preserves this information in the event that you decide to make a report at a later date.
  • A SAFE exam is recommended no later than 96 hours after an assault. However, even if more than 96 hours have passed, it may still be possible to collect evidence, and it is certainly possible to receive medical care and testing.
  • Try to preserve evidence before a SAFE exam by avoiding washing, using the toilet, brushing your teeth, or changing clothes.

Click here for more information about Forensic Exams 

 

The following local hospitals have on-call SANE nurses available (please call the specific location you plan to visit prior to going to ensure they have a nurse available):

St Luke’s Hospital

  • Anderson campus:

    1872 St. Luke’s Blvd., Easton; (484) 503-3000

Lehigh Valley Hospital
  • Muhlenberg campus:

    484 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem; (484) 884-2521

  • Cedar Crest campus:

    1200 South Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown; (610) 402-8027

  • 17th St.:

17th and Chew St., Allentown; (610) 969-2226

Trained Victim Advocates are available through the Crime Victim’s Council of the Lehigh Valley and willing to meet you at the hospital 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Advocates can provide information on the exam as well as discuss immediate and long-term support. If you are interested in having an advocate’s support during the exam, or have any questions about the exam process itself, please call the Crime Victim’s Council of the Lehigh Valley (CVCLV) at 610-437-6611.  Your call is completely confidential.

Please note that we do our best to keep this information up to date, but the information above is subject to change without notice.  Medical care can be obtained at any medical facility, but the CVCLV will always have information for accessing a SANE nurse.

Bailey Health Center | (610) 330-5001

The Bailey Health Center is equipped to provide medical attention for victims of sexual assault and dating and domestic violence during normal operating hours; however, Bailey Health Center does not perform SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination) exams or “rape kits” for evidence collection.

Bailey Health Center is located at 607 High Street at the corner of High & McCartney streets. The Department of Public Safety serves as the center’s answering service after normal hours. A dispatcher is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: (610) 330-4444.