How Grey’s Anatomy Demystified the Process of Forensic Examinations for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Show Spotlight: Grey’s Anatomy Season 15, Episode 19: “Silent All These Years”
During my time in college and at the CARE office, I have seen many people throw around stereotypes surrounding sexual assault. With this TV show spotlight, I am hoping to inform people of what rape kits look like, especially during COVID-19, how to support your partner if they have experienced sexual abuse and what a trauma-informed response looks like from doctors. I chose Grey’s Anatomy because I think that they do a great job of highlighting social issues that exist today. It is the only show that I know of that accurately depicts the trauma, intensity, and fear of experiencing sexual abuse as well as the medical process of a rape kit.
Summary: The episode starts with a patient coming in to receive some medical attention because she has cuts and bruises. Dr. Jo Wilson has been in a domestic violence relationship so she recognized that the cuts and bruises had likely been inflicted by someone else. She subtly asks the patient in private if she needs help getting out of her situation but the patient insists that nothing has happened. Eventually, she opens up and states that she does not want to pursue anything legally because her husband would think that she cheated on him due to the argument they had earlier that day and would not believe she got raped. The doctors tell her that her best chance to prove it to her husband and everyone else is to get a rape kit. It doesn’t mean she has to go the legal route but if she ever chose to, this would be the only time to be able to gather such solid evidence. The show then walks the viewer through how rape kits are conducted, the photos that are taken, and the evidence that is collected.
This episode was crucial for helping demystify the process of forensic examinations and offered the audience an opportunity to consider questions about the forensic exam options here in Orange County. The following information was gathered from a variety of sources including the CARE website, UCI CARE Advocates, the UCI CARE Director, and Waymakers.
1. What are rape kits and where can you get one? What are the pros/cons? When do I have to get them by? Can I get them now during COVID-19?
A rape kit is a forensic exam that includes a container that has a checklist, materials, and instructions, along with envelopes and containers to package any specimens collected during the exam. Some pros are that you can collect evidence, gain resources, and get treated and receive the help and care that you may need from medical professionals after such a traumatic event.
However, a con is that you will be asked some questions and it will likely trigger some memories which can be understandably difficult for many. You want to avoid doing anything that can potentially damage evidence before getting one, such as showering, combing, changing clothes, using the restroom, or cleaning up the area so it is best to get one as soon as possible. Exams are still available during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) exams are free in Orange County and include care and support from medical professionals, medication for pregnant and STD/STI's, access to advocates and the choice to report or not.
There are also take-home kits available but this is not the suggested option and is not free. For more information on medical options, here is the link to a video from the UCI CARE website.
Source: Waymakers
2. Who is a mandated reporter? How can I talk to a medical professional without triggering a report? How important is it to get medical care?
In California, all medical providers including those that are forensic nurse specialists must contact law enforcement if they know or suspect that a person has been sexually assaulted. However, you still have control over your participation in the reporting process and receiving access to a private exam, medication, and additional resources. If you are interested in receiving medical assistance and/or prevention medicating without involving law enforcement or making a report, you can contact Orange County’s Rape Crisis Hotline at (949) 831–9110.
As a UCI student, you may discuss your options for disclosure with a confidential Advocate. The amount of information you share with your provider is up to you. It is always recommended to share what would be important for your provider to know in order to provide you with the care that you need, but whether or not the incident was consensual is something you can choose to share. Keep in mind that some evidence can only be collected within the first few days of an assault, so if you’re not sure what you might want to do in the future, you may want to collect whatever evidence you can to have it held and stored.
If you’re not sure whether it’s been too long, contact the hotline above and tell them you are interested in obtaining a forensic exam. The nurse will determine what evidence might still be available.
Source: UCI CARE Website, Waymakers
3. How do we deal with the trauma of flashbacks?
Flashbacks can often be closely associated with “triggers”, something that we hear quite often. However, one thing to be mindful of is that some people may not be aware of what their triggers are and they can be unique from person to person. Anything can be a trigger: a sound, smell, time of day, date, or year, a place. They also do not have to always be bad things, something like the smell of brownies baking can also be a trigger to some.
There are a lot of different ways that people may choose to deal with these and again, this varies from person to person because it is dependent on how comfortable they feel doing so. They might journal or reach out to a supportive and safe person to talk to them through processing. They can also choose to distract themselves by focusing on something else, doing grounding exercises to calm themselves.
These include breathing exercises, imagining themselves in safe spaces, tensing and releasing muscles from the bottom up and doing activities to evoke senses (ex. Name 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste).
Source: UCI CARE Advocate — Rasta Bagheri
4. How do you support a survivor? What does it mean to not victim-blame? What can you do if the person you are with has been sexually assaulted?
When it comes to supporting a survivor, first ensure that they are safe and then reassure them that you believe and support them. It is not your job to define or prove what happened to them and the most helpful thing that you can do is remain supportive while referring them to campus or community resources.
You do not need to have all the answers. If someone tells you this personal information, it means that they trust you and want to be heard.
There is no one “right” way to respond but it is important to believe the person who is sharing with you, listen and respect them and not to victim-blame them. To not victim-blame means to listen to what they have to say, avoid trying to investigate their story, and do not say anything that makes them feel like what happened is their fault. It is not appropriate to ask why they drank so much, what they were wearing, or why they did or did not do something.
There is no excuse for sexual assault. If you are supporting a partner who has been sexually assaulted, one of the most important things is to be patient and kind. Meet the survivor where they are at, validate their feelings and experiences, and make sure to honor the fact that they are healing.
Source: UCI CARE
5. What does a trauma-informed response look like from doctors and why is that important?
Every interaction with a survivor of sexual violence has the potential to retraumatize, to interfere with recovery, or to support healing. Trauma-informed agencies are committed to providing services in a manner that is appropriate to the needs of those affected by trauma. The 4 R’s (from SAMHSA) are realized, recognize, respond, and resist re-traumatization. Doctors should practice empathy, empowerment, normalization and validation, acceptance, transparency, and boundaries with their patients, allowing them to go at their own pace and take breaks when sharing a disclosure of violence or abuse. To whatever extent is possible, doctors should work collaboratively with the patient and include them in the reporting process.
All survivors of sexual assault have a right to a forensic exam without reporting to law enforcement and a trauma-informed physician will make any recently-assaulted patient aware of this option as an opportunity to empower the victim.
Trauma-informed practices ensure that survivors are aware of their rights and options and share what will happen if they do file a report. A trauma-informed response from the doctor would also mean that they are being proactive and connect them with campus and community resources. They should seek to create opportunities to rebuild control and empowerment by being transparent and providing as many options as possible.
Source: UCI CARE Director — Dr. Mandy Mount
If you would like to learn more or get support:
UCI CARE — (949)824–7273 / care.uci.edu
Waymakers 24 hr. support line — (949)831–9110 / waymakersoc.org
UCI PD — (949)824–5222 (please call 911 for emergencies) / police.uci.edu
OEOD — (949)824–5594 / oeod.uci.edu
