Assault Scene Cleanup

You decide how this goes

A lot of control may have been taken from you recently. The cleanup should not take more. In practice, that means:

• You choose whether you're present during the assessment, or whether a friend, relative or advocate meets us instead.
• Nothing personal leaves the property without your say. We list items we think need to be removed and you approve them.
• You can ask us to stop, slow down or explain at any point.
• You only tell us what we need to know about the space. We won't ask what happened beyond that.

If you are calling on behalf of someone else, we'll ask whether they've agreed to the work and who has authority to approve it. That protects them as well as you.

Keeping it private

Many survivors don't want neighbors, coworkers or extended family to know. Tell us about any privacy concerns when you call. We can talk about arrival times, where to park, and whether to bring materials in through a side or rear entrance where the building allows it.

We don't share details of your job with anyone outside the people you authorize. If a landlord or property manager needs to be involved, for example because of shared walls or lease terms, we'll discuss with you what they need to know before we contact them. Our privacy policy explains how we handle the information you give us.

Police, evidence and timing

If the assault has been reported, police must release the scene before cleanup. Officers may photograph the area or take items. Once they're done, ask whether anything else will be collected before you book us.

If you haven't decided whether to report, that is your decision to make, and we won't pressure you either way. But cleaning can remove evidence that might matter later. If you think you may want to report, consider talking to law enforcement or an advocate before the area is cleaned. A hotline advocate can help you think it through.

Homes, rentals and workplaces

In your own home

Assaults most often happen in living spaces: bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hallways. Common materials affected include bedding, mattresses, rugs, carpet and upholstered chairs. These are absorbent, and items that have soaked up fluids usually need to be removed rather than cleaned. We'll explain each recommendation.

In a rental

Tenants often worry about what the landlord will be told or charged. You can arrange cleanup yourself, or the property owner may arrange it. If you rent, look at rental property cleanup for how responsibilities usually split.

At work or in a public place

When an assault happens at a business, the employer or property manager usually arranges cleanup. Staff who witnessed it may be shaken. We can work after hours where possible and keep the area closed off. Workplace biohazard cleanup covers how we coordinate with employers.

What the cleanup involves

1. A short call

   We confirm the area is released, ask which rooms are involved, and talk about privacy and who will be there.

2. Assessment

   We look closely at every surface and material in the affected area, including underneath rugs and furniture, and write down what can be cleaned and what should be removed.

3. Your approval

   You see the written scope before anything is removed. Questions are welcome.

4. Removal and disinfection

   We bag and seal contaminated materials, clean hard surfaces, and treat them with EPA-registered disinfectants used according to label directions.

5. Handover

   The room is returned with the work documented in photos and an itemized invoice, in case you need them for insurance or a compensation claim.

When a different page fits better

Assault overlaps with other kinds of scenes. If a weapon was fired, gunshot scene cleanup explains the wider inspection those scenes need. If the incident is part of a larger investigation, violent crime scene cleanup covers coordination with investigators. If the affected area is mainly a stain in one place rather than a scene, crime scene blood cleanup may be the simpler starting point.

Cost and financial help

The price comes from the written scope and depends on how many surfaces and materials are affected, what has to be removed, and access to the property. The Order Online page takes a $2,000 initial deposit, which is not the final price.

Tennessee's Criminal Injuries Compensation program can pay up to $3,000 for cleaning and removal of materials when a crime happened in the victim's home or an eligible relative's home in Tennessee. The crime generally has to be reported to law enforcement within 15 days, though exceptions exist, and claims must be filed within two years. It's a payer of last resort, so it considers insurance and other sources first. A victim advocate can help with the application.

Some property insurance may also cover part of the work, depending on your policy. Our itemized paperwork is designed to support either kind of claim. See insurance questions to ask for what to raise with your insurer.

Areas we serve

We work from Nashville across Middle Tennessee, including Franklin, Hendersonville and Lebanon. Scheduling for every address is confirmed by phone. The full list is on our service areas page.

Questions people ask