Sexual Assault Forensic Programs
Caring for Survivors of Interpersonal Violence, Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
Caring for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Community Members: If you are seeking immediate medical care due to a physical or sexual assault or other abuse, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Go to the MCASA Support Center for more information about what to do after you have been assaulted or how to seek support.
If you need protection from HIV due to sexual assault or abuse, hospitals offer free 28-day medication that can be taken as a precaution.
Hospital-based sexual assault forensic medical programs across the state employ specially trained forensic nurse examiners and/or registered nurses with advanced training, who care for survivors of sexual assault, abuse, neglect, interpersonal violence, and human trafficking. The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) maintains a list of hospital-based sexual assault forensic programs.
State law ensures survivors of sexual assault have access to emergency medical treatment for injuries sustained as a result of the assault, with no out-of-pocket expenses. This includes access to medications to prevent HIV.
In 2019, the nPEP Pilot Program was established to provide access to the full course of HIV prophylactic medication (28 days) at no cost to patients. MHA partnered with the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault to advocate for the initial pilot program and to make the program permanent. The program continues to provide access to critical medications to survivors.
In addition, MHA worked with MCASA to create an informational guide, which is available in English and Spanish.
The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth & Victims Services’ Sexual Assault Reimbursement Unit (SARU) is the state entity responsible for reimbursing these medical and forensic services.