Hennepin Assault Response Team
Support for Victims and Survivors of Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence
Purpose
If you have been assaulted or are experiencing continued violence or exploitation in your life, it may be difficult to know what to do or who is able to help you. Our team of nurses is here to assist you in navigating those questions and we can also offer an option for an evidence-collection exam. We are specially trained to provide trauma-informed medical care and support for individuals who have experienced sexual assault, human trafficking or sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, and child sexual abuse.
Sexual Violence
If you have been the victim/survivor of sexual violence, you may be feeling a wide variety of emotions. Anger, guilt, shame, numbness, and helplessness are common feelings. There is no “right” or “normal” way to feel. You have experienced a traumatic event and your body and your brain are working to protect you. Everyone’s reaction can be different and that’s okay.
If you have been sexually assaulted in the last 7 days and are 13 years of age or older, you are eligible for a medical-forensic exam from our team. To get an exam, visit any of the emergency departments listed in the “Locations to get an Exam” section. You do not need to report to law enforcement in order to receive an exam, but we can help connect you with the appropriate agency if you do want to report.
You have the right to a sexual violence advocate during your exam. We will contact them on your behalf once you reach the hospital, but you may also contact them. Please find their numbers below.
The Sexual Violence Center
(Serves Hennepin, Carver, and Scott Counties, but all are welcome to call)
24-hour crisis line: 612-871-5111
The Aurora Center
(Serves the University of Minnesota students)
24-hour crisis line: 612-626-9111
360 Communities
(Serves Dakota County but all are welcome to call)
24-hour crisis line: 651-405-1500
Hope Center
(Serves Rice County but all are welcome to call)
24-hour crisis line: 800-607-2330
Family Pathways
(Serves City of Forest Lake; Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine Counties in MN and Polk County in WI)
24-hour crisis line: 800-338-SAFE
Pearl Crisis Center
(Serves Mille Lacs County)
24-hour crisis line: 800-933-6914
Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center
(Serves Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, and Wright Counties)
24-hour crisis line: 320-251-4357 or 1-800-237-5090
Child Sexual Abuse
Children aged 12 years and younger are eligible for a medical-forensic exam from our team if the most recent contact with the person suspected of abusing the child is within the last three days. Children being seen for acute medical-forensic exams by our team can be seen at Hennepin Healthcare or M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.
Regardless of when the abuse last occurred, it is always important for children to be seen following sexual abuse. A crime has occurred and your child will need support. Please contact law enforcement to report the abuse and call 612-273-SAFE to schedule an exam with Otto Bremer’s Trust Center for Safe and Healthy Children.
If you are a mandated reporter, you are required by Minnesota State Statute 626.556 to report to the local welfare agency or child protective service if you know or have reason to believe a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused. Please contact your local welfare agency or child protective service if you are unsure whether or not you should make a report.
Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse in Children
Hennepin Healthcare
701 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Emergency Department: 612-873-3132
Hennepin Assault Response Team: Contact 612-873-5832
M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital
2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454
ED: 612-365-9110
Human trafficking or sexual exploitation
Human trafficking and sexual exploitation can happen to anyone, but there are factors that may put you at higher risk. If you are concerned that the situation you are in is unsafe or may become unsafe, we are here for you. We will assess your medical needs and safety and connect you with community resources to empower you to live a safe and healthy life. If you are interested, we will connect you with appropriate law enforcement agencies.
You may be seen at any of the twelve hospitals we serve.
Youth Service Network MN - Minnesota based program helping youth find shelter & services
To report suspected trafficking or exploitation, call 1-877-996-6222
The Link MN - Twin Cities-based program helping youth and young families
National Human Trafficking Hotline
For help, call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733
Day One
(Emergency shelter and crisis support)
24-hour crisis line: 1-866-223-1111
24-hour text line: 612-399-9995
Breaking Free – Minnesota-based program helping adults find shelter & services
For help, call 651-645-6557
Intimate Partner Violence
Violence in intimate relationships can happen to anyone at any time regardless of gender identification, age, race, or economic status. If you are experiencing violence from a former or current intimate partner, you can be seen by our team up to 7 days after a violent incident. Our nurses will assess your medical needs and safety. We will provide resources and connect you with community agencies to help you move towards a safer life. We can also assist you in obtaining a legal order for protection and getting to safe shelter. We understand that safety may look different for you and we will support you in the decisions you make for your safety at this time. You do not need to report to law enforcement to receive an exam. If you are interested in reporting to law enforcement, we will assist in connecting you with the appropriate agency.
You may be seen at any of the 12 hospitals we serve.
Domestic Abuse Service Center
(Serves Hennepin County but all are welcome to call)
Monday-Friday 8 am – 4:30 pm: 612-348-5073
Day One
(Emergency shelter and crisis support)
24-hour crisis line: 1-866-223-1111
24-hour text line: 612-399-9995
Domestic Abuse Project
(Legal advocacy and crisis support)
Locations to get an Exam
Hennepin Healthcare
750 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Emergency Department: 612-873-3132
Hennepin Assault Response Team: Contact 612-873-5832
North Memorial Medical Center
3300 Oakdale Dr. N Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Emergency Department: 763-520-5200
M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital
6401 France Ave S, Edina MN, 55435
Emergency Department: 952-924-5000
Maple Grove Hospital
9875 Hospital Drive, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Emergency Department: 763-581-1200
Methodist Hospital
6500 Excelsior Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Emergency Department: 952-993-5353
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital
201 E Nicollet Blvd, Burnsville, MN 55337
ED: 952-892-2000
Northfield Hospital
2000 North Ave, Northfield, MN 55057
ED: 507-464-1101
M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center - West Bank Hospital
2450 Riverside Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454
ED: 612-273-6402
M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center - East Bank Hospital
425 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
ED: 612-273-2700
M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital
2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454
ED: 612-365-9110
M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center
5200 Fairview Blvd., Wyoming, MN 55092
ED: 651-982-7000
M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center
911 Northland Dr., Princeton, MN 55371
ED: 763-389-1313
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to have an exam?
The cost of the exam is paid for by the state, if any additional medical care is needed, your insurance may be billed for that. In Minnesota, you can apply for reparations to cover those costs through Crime Victim’s Reparations if you have reported to law enforcement.
How long will an exam take?
Every exam is different, but generally, exams will take 3-4 hours to complete. Your exam may be longer depending on what other medical care and treatment is needed.
What will the exam be like?
Once you arrive at the hospital, the medical staff will check you in and make sure you are medically stable. If you want to have an exam, a forensic nurse will be called to come to see you. The forensic nurse can discuss the assault with you and perform a detailed examination with evidence collection, including photography of any injuries if that is what you want. The nurse can also assist you if you need medications to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. You will also be given resources and instructions for follow-up and support.
Our nurses are here to support you in your healing regardless of your gender identity, age, or race. If there are aspects of the exam that you do not want to go through, our nurses will discuss it with you and you can make the choice not to complete that aspect. We are here to empower your decisions and provide medical care and evidence collection if that’s something you would like. If you have questions before or during your exam, ask the forensic nurse that is working with you. You do not need to report to law enforcement to have an exam, but we can help connect you with the appropriate agency if that’s something you want.
Do I have to tell my parent/guardian?
If you are 13 years of age or older, you get to make decisions about this exam and reporting to law enforcement. You also get to decide what you want your family to know. The nurses on our team are mandated reporters, so if you do share something that necessitates a report, your family may be informed. The nurse will discuss that with you during your visit.
If you need follow-up testing after your visit, there are confidential services for young people to get testing for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Their information is linked below:
Better Together - Hennepin County program for confidential services at local clinics and schools
Between Us - Hennepin Healthcare program for confidential services at local clinics
In 1977, a nurse noticed that patients who sought care following sexual assault needed more specialized, focused care than what was typically available in an emergency department. In response to the unmet needs of this special patient population, she began developing what became the Sexual Assault Resource Service (SARS). This service, composed of a team of nurses dedicated solely to the care of patients reporting sexual assault, was one of the first of its kind, nationwide.
SARS continued this work for fifty years, growing and changing to meet the particular and sensitive needs of their patients and the community as a whole. As the team grew and additional services began to be offered by SARS, it became apparent that a name change was in order. In 2017, SARS became known as the Hennepin Assault Response Team, or HART. HART currently cares for patients of all ages, genders, and backgrounds who report sexual assault or abuse, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking or sexual exploitation.
If you have questions about HART, please contact our office by calling 612-873-5832, select option 2.
