CVRCC is Shelby County’s primary provider of forensic medical exams for victims of sexual violence of all ages.     

Most exams will take place at CVRCC (1060 Madison Avenue).  In rare cases, when a victim is already admitted to a Shelby County hospital for other injuries, CVRCC nurses will travel to that hospital to conduct the exam.  Scheduled exams for child victims are also provided at the Memphis Child Advocacy Center for ease of coordination with other CAC services.    

Forensic medical exams are typically conducted within 96 hours of the assault.  However, please speak with a nurse to talk through the specifics of your case.   

What is a forensic medical exam?  

An examination by any healthcare provider who provides medical care and gathers evidence of a sexually oriented crime in a manner suitable for use in a court of law, provided to a victim reporting a sexually oriented crime to a healthcare provider (T.C.A. §39-13-519(a)).   

In addition to the forensic medical exam, CVRCC nurses may provide: 

• Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Prophylaxis medications for both STIs and pregnancy
• Sexual assault kit and digital photography (evidence collection)
• Expert testimony in criminal court, if the case is prosecuted 

What other services are provided?  

In addition to nursing services, CVRCC crime victim advocates provide:  

• Accompaniment to the forensic exam 
• Crisis intervention and emotional support
• Follow up advocacy services, including assistance with applications for orders of protection, victim compensation, or other resource needs
• Accompaniment to law enforcement and prosecution interviews
• Court accompaniment 
• Individualized personal advocacy to help support the victim’s safety and recovery (e.g. changing schedules at school, housing service referrals, etc.)
• Internal referrals to CVRCC’s Counseling Team for ongoing support  

CVRCC nurses and crime victim advocates are on call 24/7/365 in order to respond to victims of sexual violence.   

How can adults (age 18+) request an exam?

 During Business Hours (M-F 8a-4:30p) - Call 901-222-4350.      

After Business Hours, Weekends, and Holidays

• Report the assault to the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the assault happened.  
  1. For all emergencies, please call 911. 
  2. For non-emergencies in Memphis, call 901-545-2677.
  3. This initial report does not mean you must move forward with criminal charges against the assailant.   
  4. You will have time when you get to CVRCC to talk through all of your reporting options with a victim advocate and nurse.  
  5. This includes an option to collect evidence now and then decide later whether you want to continue with a law enforcement investigation.  
• That law enforcement agency will notify the Memphis Police Department’s Dispatch to call out a CVRCC nurse.  
• The CVRCC nurse will in turn call out the CVRCC advocate and both will meet you, with law enforcement, at 1060 Madison Avenue.  
• Law enforcement may transport you to 1060 Madison, or you may work with them to provide your own transportation and meet them here. 
• Law enforcement will remain on the scene to confirm the chain of custody if there is a sexual assault kit collected. 

How can children and adolescents request an exam? 

• Children and their parents cannot request an exam directly from CVRCC.  The state of Tennessee mandates all reports of child abuse be reported to the Department of Children’s Services or law enforcement (click here for more info, including to make a report). 

1. Forensic medical examinations are available to potential victims as defined under TN’s child sexual abuse statute, including all children under 13 and children ages 13-17 who are alleged victims of sexual assault by a parent, guardian, relative, person residing in the child’s home or another person responsible for the care and custody of the child.   
2. Therefore, all exams for children under 13 and children ages 13-17 whose offenders are included in the list above must be initiated by the TN Department of Children’s Services or law enforcement.     

• For children ages 13-17 who do not fall into one of the categories listed above, the procedure will be the same as outlined above for adults.    

For more information about obtaining an exam or other sexual assault services, call CVRCC’s 24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 901-222-4350.