Information for Survivors

At Joyful Heart, we know that sexual assault can bring deep pain and suffering—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. We honor the process of healing and know that it looks different for each individual. Deciding what choices to make in the aftermath of an assault is a complex and deeply personal part of this process. No matter what lies ahead—seeking medical attention, reporting the crime, moving forward with prosecution, or taking a different path—it takes a tremendous amount of courage and fortitude to carve out your own route to healing and take the steps that feel right for you.

Some survivors will choose to have a forensic medical examination conducted. While there are many benefits to testing rape kit evidence, we know it can be an invasive and arduous experience. Know that if you decide to have evidence collected, you can choose to skip any steps of the exam. You can also have evidence collected without choosing to file a police report—immediately or ever. You can also seek medical treatment at a hospital or rape crisis center without choosing to undergo a rape kit examination.