Important Product and Service Advisory At-home forensic exam kits (also known as home “rape kits” or early evidence kits) are not supplied nor supported by USC. We strongly caution you against the use of such kits. This kit has been paid for by a USC student organization, not by USC. We strongly encourage you to carefully read the full terms and conditions that you are agreeing to by using this kit. For-profit products that claim to be home “rape kits” or early evidence kits carry many risks. Unlike official forensic exams performed by trained professionals, at-home kits are not free, meaning the manufacturer of the kit is receiving income on the sale of the kit. Not only do the manufacturers not guarantee accurate results, but they require you to agree that you are using the kit at your own risk. Many manufacturers also require you to agree that they can use your information for business purposes. Unlike sexual assault treatment centers, licensed medical providers, and sexual assault counselors, who are obligated by law and ethical rules to protect the confidentiality of your information, your use of this kit does not create a
Contact a Team of Conf idential Advocates for YouResponse Have and anSupport: Advocate 24/7 213-740-WELL (9355)
bit.ly/USCadvocate
What can an advocate do, if you ask them to?
for 24/7 response in situations Say: I need an advocate.
• Accompany you to a sexual assault response team (SART)
of gender- and power-based harm Connect: toassault, an advocate. (includingTalk sexual domestic violence, and stalking). bit.ly/USCadvocate
is a Counseling and Mental Health Services unit within USC Student Health,
of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. harm — including sexual assault, domestic violence and
stalking — you aren’t alone.
All services are confidential and trauma-informed.
Confidential advocates are available 24/7 to provide Advocates Direct Care on call Support Services Mental Health Care Discuss medical and SART/Forensic Exams you with supportive services and help you navigate what and advocacy.
USC Student Health, Relationship and Sexual Violence offers legally protected confidential services to survivors of sexual violence and other genderand power-based harm. You can call and speak to a trained advocate anonymously about your options at (213) 740-9355.
• Listen to what you experienced and offer possible next steps
IfKeck you are a student experiencing gender- or power-based Medicine of USC. All mental health providers are clinical faculty in the Department
reporting options,
Although you may still be deciding whether or not to make a report to law enforcement, using an at-home kit could limit the ability of law enforcement to hold a perpetrator responsible should you later decide that you wish to do so. In addition, at-home kits do not include all of the components of a professionally conducted forensic exam, including contemporaneous medical care, assessment of potential injuries, and information about pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Call: anytimeteam 24/7 RSVP213-740-9355, provides an advocate
Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services
comes next. get crisis support
legally protected privileged relationship with the manufacturer. In addition, the results of at-home kits are generally not admissible in court proceedings.
Medical Care for Survivors
for Survivors
All services are confidential and client-directed. This means an advocate’s actions are decided by you.
center for an exam • Arrange transportation for you to and from a SART center • Arrange for aftercare services on your behalf, including but not limited to medical care services and therapist services • Arrange campus accommodation measures with offices, including arranging any academic and alternate housing accommodations • Discuss reporting options and assist you in contacting investigators in the EEO-TIX (Title IX) Office or other authorities — but only at your direction Advocates services are covered through your Student Health Fee.
A message from Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services We understand the desire to not engage with treatment providers or official methods of care following a sexual assault. The desire to seek control and a sense of agency is completely normal. USC honors your decisions as a survivor and seeks to support your immediate and future needs. We care about your well-being, and want you to know about the concerns related to this product as well as the ways in which using this product limits your future choices. Utilizing an RSVP confidential advocate can help you explore truly meaningful options that will give you a sense of agency over your health, provide the opportunity to report in the future should that interest you, and support your overall healing.
Why a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Center is a recommended resource SART centers and forensic exams offer specially trained, trauma-informed forensic nurses who will take the time necessary to collect and preserve any evidence available after an incident. Survivors have up to 5 days (120 hours) following a sexual assault (any non-consensual sexual contact, even if the survivor does not have a memory of the assault due to being unconscious) to engage in a SART/forensic exam. USC works with the Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center which is the only SART/forensic exam organization in Los Angeles that allows for a survivor to remain anonymous and freezes evidence (in perpetuity) if a survivor is uncertain whether they want to file a criminal report at the time of the exam. During these exams, survivors will be given the option to address any concerns about STIs or pregnancy through preventative treatment, which is the only medical intervention recommended for these concerns following a sexual assault. If you are considering a SART/forensic exam, please contact an RSVP confidential advocate who can help you explore options, arrange transportation to the Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center and can go with you to an exam, if desired. Survivors can also involve support persons of their choice.
Confidential advocates are available to studente 24/7 and can be reached through the Student Health phone line, 213-740-9355 (WELL) or through secure messaging in MySHR (usc.edu/myshr).