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Getting medical attention after an assault is very important, even if you do not have visible injuries. If you want an exam to collect evidence of rape or sexual assault, you must go to a hospital that has a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program.

Maryland offers Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFEs) at designated hospitals in each jurisdiction. A FREE exam, which includes evidence collection, medical care, and HIV exposure consultation, can be completed even if you choose not to involve the police. Please click here to view the list of Maryland’s SAFE programs.

Although not all hospitals have Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) Programs, any emergency room can help provide you with medical care, including prescribing medicine to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Some hospitals will also provide medicine to prevent pregnancy but you can also buy this medicine, such as Plan B One-Step, My Way, or Next Choice One-Dose, over the counter at some pharmacies. If you are interested in locating a pharmacy near you that offers Plan B, click here. For information on accessing abortion care in Maryland, please click here.

Hospitals with SAFE Programs have specially trained Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) or physicians available to provide both medical attention and evidence collection services. Medical care provided during SAFE includes acute injury care and medication for the prevention of sexual transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and pregnancy. All services and medical care, including HIV prevention medication (nPEP), provided during a SAFE are FREE of cost. For more information on the evidence collection process please see “What Happens During a SAFE," below. To learn more about nPEP, please click here to view an information guide for providers and survivors, developed in conjunction with the Maryland Hospital Association (click here for the Spanish version of the guide).  

Most SAFE Programs in Maryland will provide you with an exam regardless of the county or city in which you were assaulted in. However, some SAFE programs have limited services or restrictions for exams. If you are unsure of the services provided at your nearest SAFE program, please contact the hospital, if possible, before reporting for the exam. 

For information on both sexual assault forensic exams and domestic violence forensic exams, please view our "Medical Treatment & Evidence Collection for Adult & Adolescent Survivors of Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence" factsheet.

In 2024, Maryland banned the sale and distribution of self-administered sexual assault forensic kits (sometimes called “DIY” or “at-home” rape kits).  These kits, which were previously advertised as a means for survivors to collect evidence of a sexual assault in private, instead of in a medical setting, claim to address survivor comfort and safety. However, professionals from across the county raised concerns about the self-administered kits use and validity. Evidence collection is only one portion of the care provided during a SAFE. A SAFE is also an opportunity for survivors to receive critical medical care, treatment of injuries, and to have concerns like STI or HIV contraction and pregnancy addressed. Additionally, survivors receiving a SAFE can request to have an advocate or support person present, and they may decline any portion of the exam they are uncomfortable with. In Maryland, survivors are not required to speak with the police about the assault to receive this care. Companies that sell or distribute these kits in Maryland will be fined for violation of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act. Survivors that obtain and use an at-home rape kit will not be punished, however any material collected may not be utilized in a court of law or to identify the perpetrator. Survivors who are considering the use of an at-home rape kit may want to contact their local SAFE Program or Rape Crisis Center to discuss their concerns and care options.

For a list of SAFE programs closest to you, including those with limited services, click here or click the location on the map.
For a list of SAFE programs close to Maryland college and university campuses, click here.

FNE-P: SAFE Program provides exams for survivors age 12 and younger
FNE-A: SAFE Program Provides exams for survivors 13 years of age and older

(* Indicates a SAFE program who may not be offering 24/7 services at this time. Please call the associated number to check availability.)

If you are unsure of where to seek help, contact 211 or go to 211md.org to find more information on helpful resources in your area.

UPMC Western Maryland

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available both in-person and over the phone. Support persons permitted.
  • 12500 Willow Brook Road, Cumberland, MD 21502
  • Emergency Department (24/7): 240-964-1200

*24/7 services may not be available, please call 240-964-1200 to check availability.

Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center

  • FNE-A only: 13 years old and up
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in-person. Support persons permitted.
  • 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401
  • Emergency number: 443-481-1000

Baltimore Washington Medical Center

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available both in-person and over the phone. Support persons permitted.
  • 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
  • Emergency number: 410-787-4312
  • Sexual Assault Office: 410-787-4328 (Not 24/7 but can leave message)

Mercy Medical Center

  • FNE-A only: 13 years old and up
  • Advocacy services available in-person. Support persons permitted, but support persons and advocacy services are not permitted in the room during the exam.
  • 345 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
  • Emergency number: 410-332-9477

University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) of Baltimore City

  • FNE-P only: 12 years and under
    • Abuse or assault must have occurred in Baltimore City over the past 3 days
  • Advocacy services available both in-person and over the phone. Support persons permitted.
  • 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
  • 410-328-6335

Greater Baltimore Medical Center

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment are available in-person and over the phone. Support persons permitted, but will be required to wait in waiting area while FNE speaks with survivor.
  • 6701 N. Charles Street, Towson, MD 21204
  • Emergency number: 443-849-2225
  • SAFE number: 443-849-3323

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Calvert Health Medical Center

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy generally not available in person since they are located at Health Department, they work with survivor to decide whether to come in or have survivor come after. Support persons are permitted.
  • 100 Hospital Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
  • Emergency number: 410-535-8344

Shore Regional Health

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in person and over the phone.  Support persons are permitted.
  • 219 S. Washington St, Easton, MD 21601
  • Emergency number: ED 410-822-1000 ext. 5555 — ask to speak with the charge nurse

Carroll Hospital Center

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in-person. Support persons permitted.
  • 200 Memorial Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157
  • Emergency number: 410-871-6700

Christiana Care Union Hospital

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • 106 Bow Street, Elkton, MD 21921
  • Emergency Department: 443-406-1370

UM Charles Regional Medical Center

  • FNE-P and FNE-A
  • 5 Garrett Avenue, LaPlata, MD 20646
  • Emergency Department (24/7): 301-609-4000
  • SAFE Program Office: 301-609-4306 (Mon – Fri, 9am to 5pm) | 301-609-4160 (after hours)

*24/7 services may not be available. Survivors looking for forensic medical care may contact the SAFE program for availability of services, or contact nearby facilities such as Baltimore Washington Medical Center in North Anne Arundel County and Capitol Region Healthcare Center in Prince George's County.

UM Shore Medical Center of Dorchester

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in-person and over the phone. Support persons are permitted.
  • 715 Cambridge Marketplace Blvd. Cambridge, MD 21613. Report to the Emergency Department.
  • Emergency number: 443-225-7500 — ask to talk with the charge nurse

Frederick Health

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in person. Support persons are permitted.
  • 400 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD 21701
  • Emergency number: 240-566-3300
  • SAFE services number: 240-566-4357 (HELP)

University of Maryland Aberdeen Medical Center

  • FNE-A only: 13 years old and up
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in person. Support persons are permitted.
  • 650 McHenry Road, Aberdeen, MD
  • Emergency number: 443-843-5500 — ask for ED charge nurse

Howard County General Hospital

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in-person or over the phone. Support persons are permitted.
  • 5755 Cedar Lane, Columbia MD, 21044
  • Emergency number: 410-740-7777
  • Forensics number: 443-718-3127 (not 24/7)

Shore Regional Health

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in-person or over the phone. Support persons are permitted.
  • 100 Brown St. Chestertown, MD 21620
  • Emergency number: 410-778-3300 ext. 6509 — ask to talk with the charge nurse

Shady Grove Adventist Healthcare Center

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in-person or over the phone. Support persons are permitted.
  • 9901 Medical Center Dr., Rockville, MD 20850
  • Emergency number: 240-826-6596
  • Sexual, Domestic Violence, & Child Maltreatment Services: 240-826-6225

UM Capital Region Medical Center

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment are available in-person and over the phone. Support persons are permitted, but they strongly discourage them attending the actual exam.
  • 901 N. Harry S. Truman Drive, Largo, MD 20774
  • Emergency number: 240-677-2000
  • Assault and Abuse Services: 240-677-2337 (may not be 24/7)

*24/7 services may not be available, please call 240-677-2000 to check availability

Shore Regional Health

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment are available in-person and over the phone. Support persons are permitted.
  • 115 Shoreway Dr. Queenstown, MD 21658. Report to the Emergency Department.
  • Emergency number: 410-827-3900 — ask to talk with the charge nurse

St. Mary’s Hospital

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment are available in-person and over the phone. Support persons are permitted.
  • 25500 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
  • SAFE number: 240-434-7768 (M-F 8:00am-4:30pm)
  • Emergency number: 301-475-6112 – ask for charge nurse

*24/7 services may not be available, please call 301-475-8981 to check availability.

UM Shore Medical Center of Easton

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in person and over the phone. Support persons are permitted.
  • 219 S. Washington St, Easton, MD 21601
  • Emergency number: 410-822-1000 ext. 5555 — ask to speak with the charge nurse

Meritus Medical Center
FNE-P and FNE-A
11116 Medical Campus Road
Hagerstown, MD 21742
301-790-8300

*24/7 services may not be available, please call 301-790-8300 to check availability.

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional

  • FNE-P and FNE-A (all ages)
  • Advocacy services and accompaniment available in-person. Support persons are permitted.
  • 100 East Carroll Street, Salisbury, MD 21801
  • FNE number: 410-912-6382 
  • Emergency number: 410-543-7100

Atlantic General Hospital

  • FNE-P and FNE-A
  • 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, MD 21811
  • 410-641-1100

What happens during a SAFE

During a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE), the Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) will ask you for the details of the sexual assault.  These details will help guide the FNE in the evidence collection process for increased likelihood in identifying the attacker and to ensure that all necessary medical care is provided.  Forensic evidence that an FNE may collect include items such as hairs, fibers, and body fluids that might identify the attacker. The exam may include swabs in the mouth and photographs of visible injuries. An internal exam may be conducted on adolescent and adult women, similar to what you might experience during a gynecologist appointment. You may be asked to give blood, urine, and hair.  All of these samples may assist in identifying the attacker and in any criminal investigation that may occur. 

In 2019, MCASA advocated to prohibit any unauthorized use or storage of a survivor's DNA profile collected during a SAFE. This was solidified in MD. Crim. Pro. §11-926. As a result, your DNA cannot be used to prosecute you in other investigations.

While at the hospital for a SAFE you will be asked if you would like to report the sexual assault to the police.  It is important to know that you do not need to speak with law enforcement in order to receive care and evidence collection services free of cost.  If you choose not to report the assault to law enforcement, the FNE will provide you with instructions on how to report the assault at a later date if you choose to do so.  Whether or not you choose to speak with law enforcement at the time of your exam does not impact the storage of the evidence collected at the hospital.  This evidence is referred to as a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK), and will be stored properly for a minimum of 75 years. 

When you are sexually assaulted, you may be fearful that you may become pregnant or contract an STI or HIV, but during a SAFE a medical provider can help decrease the chances of these things happening. The FNE will use the information you provide during the narrative of the assault to help determine your risk level for STIs and HIV. The FNE will utilize specific guidelines, such as guidelines provide by the Centers for Disease Control, to determine the need for HIV prevention medication.  These guidelines consider factors such as injury, bleeding, and point of penetration when determining need for medication. It is important to note medication compliance is essential when taking HIV prevention medication, and additional testing and follow-up care may be necessary.  Additionally, you may be provided with preventative medication for other STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, and pregnancy prevention medication. Please note that you do not have to undergo a SAFE to receive the HIV prevention medication (nPEP). As long as you meet the medical criteria of potential exposure, a licensed physician at any hospital within the state of Maryland can prescribe you the medication.

If you have concerns or questions about the contraction of HIV after you have received a SAFE, you may seek services at your local health department for testing or visit the Maryland Community Services Locator for information on care and testing sites near you.

When receiving a SAFE you will have to opportunity to receive advocacy services.  These services will be provided by your local Rape Crisis Center or the hospital at which you are receiving care.  Advocacy services include, but are not limited to, accompaniment during the exam, safety planning, and referrals for long-term services. Click here to find the number for your local center. 

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