Reporting Options

To report sexual assault or child abuse, you may contact law enforcement directly at 911.

For assistance in reporting sexual assault or child abuse in person or over the phone, call one of MCRCC’s 24-hour helplines at (831) 375-HELP (4357) or (831) 424-HELP (4357).

Once the call to the police is placed, a uniformed police officer will meet with you and take a report. You have the right to have an advocate with you during the interview procedure. Upon request, a Sexual Assault Counselor can accompany you to the police department.

You may also report to any medical professional, including at the emergency room of a hospital. If you report to a medical professional, they will contact the police department in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred.

The Non-Investigative Sexual Assault Forensic Examination is an option for survivors who wish to have a medical examination, evidence collection, and access to necessary medication in the aftermath of a sexual assault without involving law enforcement at the time of the exam. The non-investigative reporting option is for survivors over the age of 12 who do not want to report to law enforcement. Sexual Assault Counselors can accompany survivors to non-investigative exams, which are performed at Natividad Medical Center.

Evidence collected during the non-investigative exam is stored at the police department in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred. Police departments are required to keep the evidence collected during non-investigative exams for 20 years or until the survivor’s 40th birthday if they were under 18 at the time of the assault. Survivors can file a police report anytime and the evidence collected during the non-investigative exam will be included in the investigation.

Non-investigative exams are free to survivors.

To find out more about this option, call MCRCC’s 24-hour helplines at (831) 375-HELP (4357) or (831) 424-HELP (4357).

The Sexual Assault Response Team is a multi-disciplinary team who brings together Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs), Sexual Assault Counselors, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to respond collaboratively to reports of sexual assault and child sexual abuse. The SART comes together when a survivor of sexual assault reports to law enforcement and wants a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination. This approach is intended to reduce trauma and increase support for survivors in receiving important medical care and evidence collection for the prosecution of sexual violence.

The SAFE is an option for survivors who wish to have a medical examination, evidence collection, and access to necessary medication in the aftermath of a sexual assault after reporting to law enforcement. Sexual Assault Counselors can accompany survivors to SAFEs at Natividad Medical Center where Sexual Assault Forensic Exams are performed.

SAFEs are free to survivors.