Victims of sexual abuse are generally regarded as emergency patients by medical staff and hospital administration, and have consequently been treated in emergency services. Although the situation with this type of patient is rarely a matter of life and death, this person does have special and serious needs which must be met by attending medical and nursing staff. Medicolegal procedures to address these needs are suggested. The special needs of sexual abuse patients are identified, and suggestions are made for comprehensive emergency and followup care of these patients. As these recommendations are implemented, health care professionals who testify in court will have more complete recall of the patient, the event, and the examination findings, leaving less opportunity for testimony to be discredited. Also provided are State programs which assist the sexual assault victim, the Iowa law of sexual abuse, addendum, bibliography, and a medical-legal witness bibliography.