Impact of Texas's Electronic Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Tracking System on Emergency Department Utilization for Sexual Assault Care.

Rochford, Hannah; Garcia, Jess; Sagiroglu, Burcu; Vieh, Rebecca; Knecht, Ilse; Downing, Nancy R · Am J Public Health · 2026

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Abstract

Texas's Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAK) Policy reform increased emergency department (ED) utilization for sexual assault care (+2.7%). Counties without a sexual assault forensic examination (SAFE)-ready facility in their borders experienced a greater increase (+6.1%) than counties with a SAFE-ready facility (+2.1%). For medical forensic examinations (MFEs) with SAK completion, non-SAFE-ready counties experienced a significant increase (+12.8%), but SAFE-ready counties experienced a significant decrease (-3.6%). This may indicate that residents of non-SAFE-ready counties are now pursuing MFEs with SAK completion locally instead of traveling for care. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. Published online ahead of print July 16, 2026:e1-e5. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308553).