I have been a hospital volunteer a little over 5 years. I have been in more than 6 local hospitals and numerous hospital rooms. I have noticed an ongoing theme.
Most rape victims are placed in a room far from the door, usually down a very quiet hallway. It seems like the room is the last door on the left. It is so bittersweet. I understand some of the reasoning of putting a rape victim in a secluded quiet room. There is not a lot of traffic. Less possibility of disturbance or chance of being seen by others. On the flip-side sometimes it can feel isolated being in the last door on the left. There can the sense of feeling alone.
No matter what the feeling about the location o the room, the purpose of the room is life changing. Most people that end up in an Emergency Department do not plan their visit. A rape victim not only did not plan this visit they don’t want to go through the Rape Kit.
Their visit to an Emergency Department is such a hard visit. This visit can be such a life alternating visit. The sexual assault that just happened to them they had no choice in what happened. Being in the emergency department is their first time they are able to make a decision in their life post-trauma that happened to them. They have the choice of how much or how little of the exam they go through. If they do not feel comfortable with certain parts all they have to say is no. Their choices will be respected.
The Last Day on the left can be so somber. But it is also so powerful in its significance. I respect this room and it’s purpose so much
Take Care. Much Love
