[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Forensic medicine](https://durgical.com/en/forensic-medicine/) › [Clinical forensic medicine](https://durgical.com/en/forensic-medicine/areas/clinical/) › Resolution 459 of 2012: the health-care protocol for sexual violence # Resolution 459 of 2012: the health-care protocol for sexual violence - Law A Ministry of Health rule that obliges insurers and providers to treat victims of sexual violence as emergencies, under a 15-step protocol. Updated Nov 5, 2026 ## Key points - Resolution 459 of 2012: a mandatory protocol for insurers (EPS) and providers (IPS). - All sexual violence is a medical emergency; priority I within the first 72 hours. - No barriers: no police report, insurance check or prior authorisation. - Emergency contraception before 72 hours (exceptionally up to 120) and prophylaxis for STIs and HIV. - Protection (ICBF or family commissioner) and justice are activated at the same time. ## What it is Resolution 459 of 6 March 2012 of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection adopts the Protocol and Model of Comprehensive Health Care for Victims of Sexual Violence. The protocol is mandatory for the health insurers (EPS) of both schemes and for health-care providers (IPS). It implements Law 1146 of 2007 (children and adolescents) and Law 1257 of 2008 (violence against women). It organises care in 15 steps: from preparing the service and immediate reception in the emergency department to prophylaxis, emergency contraception, mental health, activating protection and justice, public health surveillance, follow-up and case closure. ## Key articles - Art. 1: adopts the Protocol of Comprehensive Health Care for Victims of Sexual Violence, mandatory for EPS and IPS. - Art. 2: adopts the Care Model as the reference framework for following up cases. - Arts. 3 and 4: the protocol is reviewed and updated at least every two years; the model, when deemed appropriate. - Art. 5: in force from publication in the Diario Oficial and repeals contrary provisions. - Protocol, step 3: all sexual violence is a medical emergency and any access barrier is unacceptable; priority I within the first 72 hours. - Protocol, steps 6 to 8: prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, emergency contraception and access to voluntary termination of pregnancy. - Protocol, step 12: activate protection (ICBF for under-18s, family commissioner for adult women) and justice at the same time. - Law 1146 of 2007, art. 9: sexual abuse of minors is treated as an emergency, whatever the insurance status, with immediate notice to the judicial police and the ICBF. ## What it covers - Health care for victims of sexual violence, whether the event is recent or old, and whether it is the reason for the visit or is detected in another visit. - The duties of insurers and providers: emergency care, free of charge, comprehensive and without barriers. - Coordination with the protection and justice sectors, and public health surveillance. ## Next step: what to do and document - Treat in the emergency department without asking for a police report, authorisation or insurance; stabilise first. - Explain the victim's rights, obtain informed consent and follow the protocol's steps. - Ensure STI and HIV prophylaxis and emergency contraception within the useful time window, and inform about the right to voluntary termination of pregnancy. - Request a mental health assessment in the emergency department and schedule follow-up. - Activate protection and justice and notify the case (see mandatory reporting); preserve the evidence under chain of custody. ## Status and official text - Resolution 459 of 6 March 2012, Ministry of Health and Social Protection; implements Law 1146 of 2007 (art. 10) and Law 1257 of 2008 (arts. 8 and 13). - Article 3 requires the protocol to be reviewed at least every two years: check the Ministry's site for any later rule that replaces it. - Official text checked on 2026-11-05 at minsalud.gov.co and funcionpublica.gov.co. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which rule adopted the health-care protocol for victims of sexual violence in Colombia? Resolution 459 of 2012 of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, mandatory for insurers (EPS) and providers (IPS). ## Can a provider demand a police report or insurance before treating a victim of sexual violence? No. The protocol deems any access barrier unacceptable, and Law 1146 of 2007 says a minor's lack of insurance does not prevent care. ## Up to when is emergency contraception offered under the Resolution 459 protocol? Always before 72 hours and, exceptionally, up to 120 hours after the assault. ## If the victim of sexual violence is under 18, which protection body is activated? The ICBF, through the family ombudsman (defensor de familia), at the same time as the Fiscalía or the judicial police. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/forensic-medicine/resolution-459-of-2012-the-health-care-protocol-for-sexual-violence/) ## Elsewhere in DurgiPedia - [Mandatory reporting: public health, violence and abuse](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/mandatory-reporting-public-health-violence-and-abuse/) - [Sentencia C-055 de 2022: abortion up to week 24](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/sentencia-c-055-de-2022-abortion-up-to-week-24/) ## Connections ## Related 3 - [The forensic exam after sexual violence](https://durgical.com/en/forensic-medicine/the-forensic-exam-after-sexual-violence/) - [Sexual violence: samples and evidence](https://durgical.com/en/forensic-medicine/sexual-violence-samples-and-evidence/) - [Drug-facilitated sexual assault and robbery](https://durgical.com/en/forensic-medicine/drug-facilitated-sexual-assault-and-robbery/) ## Related conditions 1 - [Sexual violence (care of the survivor)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/sexual-violence/) [← All of forensic medicine](https://durgical.com/en/forensic-medicine/) Educational content on forensic and legal medicine; not legal advice and no substitute for the technical guides of Colombia's National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. Laws change: each page links the official text and says when it was last checked. For a real case, follow the guide in force and ask the competent authority. Sources: [Resolución 459 de 2012, Protocolo y Modelo de Atención Integral en Salud para Víctimas de Violencia Sexual](https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/Lists/BibliotecaDigital/RIDE/DE/DIJ/Resolucion-0459-de-2012.PDF) (Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social, 2012); [Ley 1146 de 2007, prevención de la violencia sexual y atención integral de niños, niñas y adolescentes abusados sexualmente](https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=25669) (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo, 2007); [Ley 1257 de 2008, violencia y discriminación contra las mujeres](https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=34054) (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo, 2008). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. 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