Acute Response
Abuse happened within 3 days
It is important that a child who is sexually abused gets medical care. This is to check for any injuries, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), and to assure the child that their body is healthy and normal. Children can have a medical forensic exam and forensic evidence kit done if the assault was within the past 3 days. All hospital emergency departments have a forensic kit designed for children known as the MA Pedi Kit. All steps of the MA Pedi Kit are minimally invasive and should not cause the child any pain or discomfort.
If the assault has occurred within 3 days, it is best if your child does not shower, bathe, or change clothes— even if they have, they can still get care and have a MA PEDI Kit done. If your child has changed clothes, please bring the clothes they were wearing at the time of the assault to the hospital with them.
Listed below are five hospitals providing a specialized SANE response for pediatric patients (11 years and younger). In all other hospitals, doctors and nurses will be able to complete an exam and MA Pedi Kit. The MA SANE Program helps to train those doctors and nurses about using the MA Pedi Kit.
If the assault/abuse occurred more than 3 days ago, please see: Pediatric SANE Program.
Hospital locations
Cape Cod Hospital
27 Park Street
Hyannis, MA 02601 (508) 771-1800
Falmouth Hospital
100 Ter Heun Drive
Falmouth, MA 02540
Lawrence General Hospital ED
1 General St.
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 683-4000 ext 2500
Lowell General Hospital – Main Campus 295
Varnum Avenue Lowell, MA 01854
(978) 937-6161
Lowell General Hospital – Saints Campus
1 Hospital Drive
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 458-1411