Rape Kits

If you are raped* and are a member of the Vanderbilt University Community**, you can obtain a Medical-Legal Examination through the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED). If you elect to go to the emergency department after an assault, you will need to know the following:

Before you leave for the hospital:

  • Do not change your clothes. Your clothes will be collected in the ED. A victim of a sexual assault should not bathe, shower, douche, brush her/his teeth, smoke a cigarette, or change clothes until after the medical-legal examination is completed.
  • If you must change clothes, do so very carefully to avoid losing important evidence (i.e. hair samples, skin samples). Also, DO NOT put your clothes in a plastic bag. Put your clothes in a PAPER BAG and bring them with you to the hospital. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THIS STEP PRECISELY SO AS NOT TO ACCIDENTLY LOSE EVIDENCE!
  • You can either call the police before you leave for the hospital or you can have them called once you arrive and request a medical-legal exam: Metro: 911, VUPD 421-1911
  • If possible, find someone to escort you to the ED: An assistant director or RA would be a good choice because they are trained to navigate the university system; however, you may also call the Rape and Sexual Abuse Center at 256-8526 for a hospital escort.

When you arrive at the hospital:

  • Enter through the ambulatory entrance of the Emergency Department.
  • Tell the desk nurse of your Vanderbilt affiliation.
  • There is no charge for this service or any testing for "date-rape" drugs! Vanderbilt University will absorb all costs. Your insurance will not be notified and your parents will not be billed.
  • To preserve confidentiality, you are encouraged to ask for the "medical-legal exam" as opposed to the "rape kit."
  • If you believe you have been given a "date-rape drug," ask to be tested for that drug. If you have other drugs in your system that you ingested voluntarily, let the doctor/nurse know.
  • The medical-legal exam is a process to collect evidence for a criminal investigation. Therefore, if you request a medical-legal exam, the Metro Police will be called. The Metro Police will interview you and then the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners will be contacted to perform the exam for us. The examiner is always a female. Even though you must report the rape to the police in order for the medical-legal exam to be performed, you are not required to press charges. If you prefer not to involve the police, you can still receive medical attention.
  • The ED will not alert anyone without your permission (unless you are a minor or you are unconscious).

* Rape: Sexual penetration, no matter how slight, of the genital, anal, and/or oral openings of the victim by any part of the perpetrator’s body or by use of an object, without the victim’s consent or against the victim’s will.

** By "Vanderbilt University Community," we mean student, staff, faculty, immediate family member of faculty or staff, visiting scholar, or a participant in a Vanderbilt sponsored camp. This list is not exhaustive, so if you have questions, please call 322-1333.

Emergency Numbers:

  • Immediate Emergency 911

  • VU Police Department 421-1911

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Emergency Department) 343-3740

  • Rape and Sexual Abuse Center 256-8526

For more information about the medical-legal exam, please call
Project Safe at 322-1333.

Home | Sexual Assault | Dating & Domestic Violence | Stalking | Sexual Harassment
Campus & Community Resources | Statisics | Announcements | Get Involved | Contact Info

In compliance with federal law, including the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Vanderbilt University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military service in its administration of educational policies, programs, or activities; its admissions policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other University-administered programs; or employment. In addition, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation consistent with University nondiscrimination policy. Inquiries or complaints regarding these issues should be directed to the Opportunity Development Officer, Baker Building, Box 1809, Station B, Nashville, TN 37235. Telephone (615) 322-4705 (V/TDD); Fax (615) 343-4969.