What medical and mental health care must be provided after an allegation?

• A. Prompt access to medical and mental health care with privacy, evidence collection, and appropriate counseling or treatment
• B. No care until investigation completes
• C. Only medical care, not mental health
• D. Only mental health care

Answer: (A)

When an allegation is made, the person must be offered both medical and mental health care promptly, with their privacy protected, and with evidence collection conducted by trained professionals, along with access to appropriate counseling or treatment. The medical component ensures injuries are treated, pregnancy and STI risks are addressed, and necessary tests are completed to document physical health status. Even in the absence of visible injuries, a thorough medical evaluation helps identify hidden harm and creates a clear medical record. The mental health component provides immediate, trauma-informed support to help the person cope, stabilize emotionally, and connect them with ongoing counseling if needed. Privacy safeguards reduce the risk of additional trauma and encourage openness, with information shared only as needed for care and investigation. Evidence collection should be done carefully and respectfully by trained personnel and should not delay access to medical and mental health care; it follows proper procedures to preserve forensic integrity. Providing appropriate counseling or treatment means offering access to mental health services tailored to the survivor’s needs, including crisis support and longer-term therapy if desired. The other options fall short because they either delay care, exclude mental health services, or limit care to only one aspect, which does not meet the requirements.