Medical personnel are involved in the treatment of the physical and emotional consequences of rape as well as the collection of evidence to corroborate the initial charges and provide proof of guilt in the event a suspect is arrested. Medical personnel must obtain the victim's consent for any examination, treatment, and the release of any medical information to legal authorities. The medical examination should include the taking of a general medical history, a sexual history, and a history of incident and postincident events. Aspects of the physical examination should be outlined for the patient prior to initiating it. The examination should focus on any physical abnormalities that have occurred from the assault. The patient's description of the assault will indicate which parts of the body should receive special attention. The type of evidence collected and the collection and handling of the evidence will vary according to the patient's history and the legal jurisdiction. Medical therapy should include prophylactic treatment for venereal disease and a determination of whether pregnancy has occurred. Medical records should be nonjudgmental, use standard terms, and be legible. The manner of conducting the exam can help reduce rape trauma syndrome. Victims should receive emotional support, privacy, information about the exam and its results, and followup mental health consultation.