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, that 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 all hospitals do not 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.  

At-home rape kits have been advertised as a means for survivors to collect evidence of a sexual assault independently of a medical professional. These kits, although aiming to address survivor comfort and safety, raise concerns that have been flagged by professionals across the country. Evidence collection is only one portion of the care provided during a SAFE: It is important the survivors of sexual assault see a medical professional after an assault, not only for evidence collection, but also to address concerns like STI or HIV contraction, pregnancy, and treatment of injuries. MCASA encourages all survivors to have evidence collected in a manner that they are comfortable with, and while at-home rape kits claim the ability to collect said evidence in private, they cannot replace the expertise and knowledge of a trained forensic nurse examiner. It's important to remember that during a formal SAFE each survivor can request to have an advocate or support person present, and they have the ability to decline any portion of the exam they are uncomfortable with. 

In recent weeks, a private business has been contacting community agencies about their self-administered sexual assault forensic collection kits for sexual assault survivors. They have been making false and misleading statements about their product’s availability and usage in Maryland by misrepresenting newly passed legislation. Click here to read more about the concerns raised about these kits by the Maryland Attorney General. For more information about at-home rape kits and the conerns raised by professionals, you can view an FAQ developed by the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault, VALOR. Please note that this FAQ is specific to California. If you have questions related to Maryland, please email [email protected].

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.

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person and virtually. Survivors can bring a support person with them to the hospital.

UPMC Western Maryland
FNE-P and FNE-A
12500 Willow Brook Rd.
Cumberland, MD 21502
Emergency Department (24/7): 240-964-1200
Forensic Nursing Services: 240-964-1333

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

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors 13 years of age and older can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in-person. A survivor can bring a support person as long as it is not disruptive. 

Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center
FNE-A
2001 Medical Pkwy.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Emergency Department: 443-481-1000
Non-emergency: 443-481-1209

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services are provided by a trained adovcate are available in-person or over the phone as needed. Survivors are permitted to bring a support person.

Baltimore Washington Medical Center
FNE-P and FNE-A
301 Hospital Drive
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Emergency Department (24/7): 410-787-4312
Sexual Assault Office: 410-787-4328

COVID-19 Updates

Only survivors 13 years of age and older can obtain a SAFE at this location. In person advocacy is available 24/7. Survivors aged 0-12 can go to UMMS CARE Program for a pediatric exam. 

Mercy Medical Center
FNE-A
345 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Emergency Department: 410-332-9477
Forensic Nursing: 410-332-9494

COVID-19 Updates

Only survivors under the age of 13 can obtain a SAFE at this location. Advocacy services are available only in-person. Support persons are allowed to be present if they are not the alleged abuser.

University of Maryland Medical Center 
Pediatric Emergency Department –
Under 13 years old
Exam by ER physician
22 S. Greene Street.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-328-6335

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment offered by Greater Balitmore Medical Center is available in person or by phone, if preferred. A survivor can bring a support person, but the FNE will speak with the survivor alone to address safety.

Patients should report to the Emergency Department, unless they are accompanied by police or have  scheduled an appointment.

Greater Baltimore Medical Center
FNE-P and FNE-A
6701 N. Charles Street
Towson, MD 21204
Sexual Assault Forensic Examination & Domestic Violence Program: 443-849-3323
Emergency Department: 443-849-2225

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Advocacy services available dependent on staffing- not offering 24/7 care at this time. They will try to schedule patient within 12 hours, if possible, and if not, refer to closest SAFE program with availability. Support persons are allowed. ​​​​​

Calvert Health Medical Center
FNE-P and FNE-A
100 Hospital Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-535-8344

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person. Support persons are permitted. 

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton
FNE-P and FNE-A
219 S. Washington Street
Easton, MD 21601
Emergency Department: 410-822-1000 ext. 5555
FNE Program: 410-822-1000 ext. 7976

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available over the phone or by secure video conference. Survivors can bring a support person with them to the hospital. 

Carroll Hospital Center
FNE-P and FNE-A
200 Memorial Ave.
Westminster, MD 21157
Emergency Department: 410-871-6700
Survivors can request a call back from the FNE on call

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person. Support persons are permitted before and after the exam, but cannot be present during the exam.

Christiana Care Union Hospital
FNE-A
106 Bow Street
Elkton, MD 21921
Emergency Department: 443-406-1370

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available over the phone or in person. Support persons are permitted.

UM Charles Regional Medical Center
FNE-P and FNE-A
5 Garrett Ave
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)

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available over the phone. Support persons are permitted.

UM Shore Medical Center of Dorchester
FNE-P and FNE-A
715 Cambridge Marketplace Blvd. 
Cambridge, MD 21613
Emergency Department: 410-228-5511
FNE Program: 410-822-1000 ext. 5555

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person, with virtual options via secure video chat. Support persons are permitted; for up to date information on visitor policies click here.

Frederick Health
FNE-P and FNE-A
400 West 7th Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Emergency Department: 240-566-3300
Forensic Services: 240-566-4357 (HELP)
Patients may receive consultation and services by contacting the Forensic Services team directly with any questions. The nurse or social worker will assist the patient with available options.

COVID-19 Updates

Only survivors 13 years of age and older can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person with virtual options. Support persons are allowed. Please note: their name will be entered into the medical repord as "present during the exam" and they may be supoenaed to court.

University of Maryland Aberdeen Medical Center
FNE-A
660 McHenry Road
Aberdeen MD 21001
443-843-5500
Ask for the on-call SAFE nurse

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available  in person or over the phone. Survivors may bring one support person. 

Howard County General Hospital
FNE-P and FNE-A
5755 Cedar Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
Forensics Office (M-F, 8am-4pm): 443-718-3127
Emergency Department: 410-740-7777

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person, virtually, or over the phone.

UM Shore Medical Center Chestertown
FNE-P and FNE-A
100 Brown Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
410-778-3300 ext. 6509

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available virtually and in person. Survivors can call ahead during daytime hours to schedule an appointment directly with the Forensic Medical Unit in order to potentially avoid the ER. Survivors may bring one support person. 

Shady Grove Adventist Healthcare Center
FNE-P and FNE-A
9901 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
Emergency Department: 240-826-6596
Sexual, Domestic Violence, & Child Maltreatment Services: 240-826-6225 

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person.

UM Capital Region Medical Center
FNE-P and FNE-A
901 N. Harry S. Truman Drive
Largo, MD 20774
240-677-2337

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person, virtually, or over the phone.

UM Medical Center Chestertown
FNE-P and FNE-A
100 Brown Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
410-778-3300

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person and virtually. Survivors should call ahead to ensure exam availability; survivors may bring one support person.

St. Mary’s Hospital
FNE-P and FNE-A
25500 Point Lookout Road
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-8981
SAFE Program: 240-434-7768
Emergency Department: 301-475-6110

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

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person, virtually, or over the phone.

UM Shore Medical Center of Easton
FNE-P and FNE-A
219 S. Washington Street
Easton, MD 21601
410-822-1000 ext. 5555

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person.

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.

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available exclusively in person. Survivors are allowed one non-offending support person.

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional
FNE-P and FNE-A
100 East Carroll Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-546-6400
FNE Coordinator: 410-912-6382

COVID-19 Updates

Survivors of all ages can obtain a SAFE at this location. Exam accompaniment and advocacy services provided by a trained advocate are available in person. 24/7 care is available as staffing allows. 

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 20 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