Allegra

Because I answered yes to the strangulation question.

We then had to go into a separate questionnaire about strangulation and document all of that.

So then after the questionnaires were done, that's when the physical exam comes, which is the hardest part, in my opinion.

It is a bit dehumanizing because your body is a crime scene and the evidence has to be taken off of your body.

And that doesn't feel good and there's no way to sugarcoat it.

They swab everything.

They take pictures of everything.

You had to disclose if you had had any recent consensual sexual activity so that that person's DNA could be eliminated if it did come up.

It's definitely not an easy process and it takes a long time and it's uncomfortable and it's sad.

But at the end of the day, this is going to give you options.

if you are not sure about the steps forward at that time that's okay but you have evidence collected and you've been given prophylaxis for stis i was given plan b the other thing i thought was interesting which was also mentioned in luna's experience the cart that they use for the rape kit that has all the different tools on it is the same cart they use to deliver babies

I guess it was just poetic in a way or a moment of stark contrast that this cart that's used to bring life into the world, which is usually so happy, is also used for something that's so dark and life altering in a different way.

They sent a confidential advocate with the same nurse as well.

This advocate happened to be male, which didn't bother me too much.

Or I felt like, well, I can't really ask for a different advocate.

So here we go.

How long do you think the process took overall?

Six plus hours I was there.

Anytime an assault is reported by a mandatory reporter at Western University at this time frame, it would trigger an email that gave you all the resources, including the Title IX office, if you wanted to file a complaint.

Somehow that email was in my inbox.