Standards › Standard 9 › Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Standard operating procedure (SOP) · FLD-SOP-004 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: 9.13
At a glance
- A patient who reports sexual violence is seen at once, in private, by a trained clinician.
- Medical care and emergency treatment are offered within the set time, and the patient is told the options.
- Evidence is preserved only with the patient’s consent (FLD-FRM-006).
- The patient is referred to a support service and to a protection contact.
- Stop and get help straight away if: a report of sexual violence receives no clinical response, or no referral.
1. Purpose
To give a patient who reports sexual violence a defined clinical response within a short time (9.13).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the hospital |
| Locations | All wards, clinics and departments of the facility |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 15 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clinical lead | The doctor or nurse in charge of the area at the time |
4. Background
A patient who reports sexual violence needs medical care, evidence preserved and support, within a short time. Without a written pathway, that care is delayed or missed.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Clinician | Gives the clinical response | Clinician |
| Protection focal point | Makes the referral and keeps the record secure | Protection |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a patient is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Respond.
- See the patient at once in private, with a chaperone or a trained support person.
Key point: At once, in private.
Step 2. Treat and offer options.
- Offer emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis and injury care within the set time, and explain the options.
Key point: Within the set time.
Step 3. Record and refer.
- Record on FLD-FRM-006 with consent, and refer to support and protection.
Key point: Consent, record, referral.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. Use the on-call contact on the wall of the area. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reports receiving a clinical response in the set time | 100% | Each report | Field unit lead | Escalate to the coordinating authority |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Patient record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy years |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| FLD-FRM-006 | Sexual violence response record | Record |
| HOS-SOP-013 | Vulnerable patients and safeguarding (existing, reused) | Procedure |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-009 | Based on the WHO Clinical management of rape survivors (2004) and IASC Guidelines on Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings (2015). |
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | the date of approval | First version | set Expert Committee approval |
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References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 1. (E-009)