IGNITE RTK Mapping

Our friends at IGNITE UCLA created this map for locating rape treatment centers containing rape treatment kits (RTK) in California, which includes resources for the UC system. 

IGNITE National is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) that seeks to empower young women to step into their political power. Each chapter provides civic education, exposure to women in political leadership, hands on training and work opportunities, and a peer network of women who support and nurture each other’s aspirations for civic and political leadership.

IGNITE at UCLA is a college chapter of IGNITE National. IGNITE at UCLA specifically seeks to advance reproductive justice through legislative work, lobbying, regional organizing, research, and education campaigns.

What is a rape treatment kit (RTK)?

A rape treatment kit, also known as a sexual assault forensic exam or sexual assault evidence kit, is an examination provided by a medical professional to preserve possible DNA evidence and receive important medical care following sexual assault. Receiving a rape treatment kit examination does NOT mean that you have to report a crime. However, receiving a rape treatment kit examination gives you the chance to safely store evidence should you decide to report at a later time.

If you are planning to obtain a rape treatment kit examination, try to avoid activities that could potentially damage evidence such as: bathing, showering, using the restroom, changing clothes, combing hair, and cleaning up the area. However, it is natural to want to go through these motions after a traumatic experience. If you have done any of these activities, you can still have a rape treatment kit exam performed. In most cases, DNA evidence needs to be collected within 72 hours of an incident in order to be analyzed by a crime lab. However, rape treatment kit examinations can reveal other forms of evidence beyond this time frame that can be useful if you decide to report, so it may still be valuable to obtain a rape treatment kit examination after the 72 hour period. 

Individuals who receive a rape treatment kit should not be charged for the exam. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) requires states to provide rape treatment kit exams free of charge if they wish to remain eligible for certain forms of grant funding. If you are charged for the exam, immediately contact your local sexual assault service provider.