Emergency Medical Resources
Hamline University encourages all individuals who believe they have experienced an incident of sexual misconduct, in particular those who are injured by an act of sexual violence, to seek assistance from a medical provider and/or law enforcement immediately. This is the best option to ensure preservation of evidence and to begin a timely investigative and remedial response. Hamline University will assist any Hamline community member to get to a safe place and will provide transportation to the hospital, coordination with law enforcement, and information about Hamline University’s resources and complaint processes. Assistance is available 24 hours a day by calling the Saint Paul Police at 911 or 651-291-1111 or Hamline Safety and Security at 651-523-2100.
There are a variety of options available to people who experience sexual violence. If someone has experienced sexual violence, they should seek immediate medical attention. Hamline University refers sexual assault victims to Regions Hospital, located at 640 Jackson Street in Saint Paul, available at 651-254-3306. Sexual assault victims may go to the Regions Emergency Department (ER) by themselves or with a friend. This will allow for confidentiality in the event the victim chooses not to make a report to the University or to police.
With the occasional exception of a few preventative medications, there is no charge for care related to sexual assault at Regions Hospital ER. Regions ER is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
At Regions Hospital, sexual assault victims will be met at the hospital by a Sexual Offense Services counselor (SOS) and a specifically trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). The SOS counselor will provide emotional support and confidential counseling. The SANE nurse will provide sensitive and expert medical care.
If possible, sexual assault victims should not change clothes, bathe, shower, brush their teeth, or go to the bathroom before going to the ER. Sexual assault victims who change clothes should bring clothing worn during the assault with them, preferably placing each item in a separate bag. They also should bring any menstrual product (pad, tampon, etc.) worn during the assault. If they must urinate before going to the hospital, sexual assault victims should void a small amount of urine into a cup, bring the urine specimen with them, and should not wipe after urinating.
These exams are completely confidential and their results are not given to police unless the patient consents. Sexual assault victims are not required to report the assault to the police or to the University through this process, but if they choose to do so, the SOS staff will assist them in the reporting process.
A medical provider can provide emergency and/or follow-up medical services and discuss any healthcare concerns related to the incident in a confidential medical setting to bring peace of mind. The medical exam has two goals: First, to diagnose and treat the full extent of any injury or other physical effect (sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy); and second, to properly collect and preserve evidence. There is a limited window of time (typically 120 hours) following an incident of sexual assault to preserve physical and other forms of evidence. Taking the step to gather evidence immediately does not commit an individual to any course of action. The decision to seek medical attention and gather any evidence will remain confidential, yet preserve the full range of options to seek resolution through Hamline University’s complaint processes or through the pursuit of criminal action if so desired.
Please note that without the involvement of Safety and Security, Hamline University may not be notified of such a report. It is important to also inform Hamline University through Safety and Security and/or the Title IX Coordinator.
