SAFE Exams Now Available Before Crime Is Reported

Revised Kentucky law now requires rape exams to be made available to sexual assault victims, even if the crime has not yet been reported. Sexual Assault Forensic-Medical Exams, or SAFE exams, are available at medical facilities across the commonwealth.Kentucky State Police Lt. Col. Mike Sapp says delayed reporting of sexual assaults is not unusual.“But unless we can get this evidence collected and preserved, it’s really difficult to get these perpetrators indicted," he says. "And we’re glad to be part of this SAFE exam compliance project because we believe it will increase the number of cases that we have good quality evidence collected.”State law requires SAFE exams to be provided to victims who request them, and victims can decide whether or not to immediately notify authorities. If they choose to delay, all medical evidence gathered during the exam will be stored for 90 days.