On our department all rape patients with "minimal injuries" are taken to a hospital that has a specialized counselor on duty. That trip can take half an hour or more in bad traffic and weather. Since we are often on scene while the police are interviewing the victim we often have a large portion of our history completed before transport is even initiated. Sure, taking that half hour trip to sit quietly and finish our report means less work at the end of the shift, but I have found that most of my patients are grateful for a break in the silence. I ask them how they are holding up. I ask them if they want to talk about what they are feeling. I let them know that what just happened was not their fault (even a prostitute can be raped) and that feeling angry is okay. I let them know that it is okay to cry in front of me if that is what they need to do. It's not an easy conversation, and if I never have another one as long as I live it will be too soon, but most women, I've found are grateful for the human interaction after such a traumatic event. Yes, I realize that as a woman I appear less threatening in such situations, but if you remember to treat your patient the way you would want to be treated (even if medical care is not required) you are doing the right thing.