Polygraph Exams for Sex Crime Victims: Rights & Guide

Prevalence and Reporting

Sexual violence remains one of the most pervasive public health crises in the United States. According to the most recent data compiled from the Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey (2020-2024), an estimated 443,635 people age 12 and older experience sexual violence each year in the U.S. [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. This figure represents only reported incidents; RAINN estimates that roughly two-thirds of sexual assaults go unreported, meaning the actual number could be substantially higher.

Understanding the magnitude of sexual violence provides essential context for why polygraph testing enters the conversation in investigations. When evidence is limited and perpetrators deny their actions, the polygraph can serve as one investigative tool among many. For victims, however, the prospect of being subjected to a lie detector test during one of the most traumatic periods of their lives raises critical questions about rights, protections, and ethics.

The Economic Cost of Sexual Violence

Beyond the personal devastation, sexual violence carries enormous societal costs. A landmark CDC study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that the estimated lifetime cost of rape was $122,461 per victim, encompassing medical expenses, lost productivity, criminal justice costs, and other expenditures [2]Verified Lifetime Economic Burden of Rape Among U.S. Adults
Confirms $122,461 per-victim lifetime cost and $3.1 trillion total population economic burden. When aggregated across the more than 25 million U.S. adults who have experienced rape, the population economic burden reaches nearly $3.1 trillion (in 2014 U.S. dollars) [2]Verified Lifetime Economic Burden of Rape Among U.S. Adults
Confirms $122,461 per-victim lifetime cost and $3.1 trillion total population economic burden. This includes approximately $1.2 trillion in medical costs, $1.6 trillion in lost work productivity, and $234 billion in criminal justice activities [2]Verified Lifetime Economic Burden of Rape Among U.S. Adults
Confirms $122,461 per-victim lifetime cost and $3.1 trillion total population economic burden. Government sources pay an estimated $1 trillion (32%) of this lifetime economic burden [2]Verified Lifetime Economic Burden of Rape Among U.S. Adults
Confirms $122,461 per-victim lifetime cost and $3.1 trillion total population economic burden. These figures help explain why effective investigation and prosecution are not merely moral imperatives but economic ones as well.

Age-Related Risk Factors

Younger individuals bear the greatest burden of sexual violence. According to RAINN, citing BJS data, 15% of victims are ages 12-17, while 54% are ages 18-34 [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. The 12-to-34 age group represents the highest-risk period for sexual assault. Individuals aged 65 and older are 92% less likely than those aged 12-24 to experience sexual violence, according to BJS data on Crimes Against the Elderly, 2003-2013 [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data.

These statistics are particularly relevant for polygraph examiners, who must be trained to work sensitively with younger examinees and understand the developmental and psychological factors at play. Research by Jeong-Woo Ji (2020) demonstrated that modifying polygraph question protocols — such as using pronouns instead of perpetrator names in relevant questions — produced significantly improved test outcomes with sexual assault victims [3]Verified A Study on the Differences of Psychophysiological Response of Sexual Crime Victims by Question Conditions in Polygraph Examination
Confirms that modified question techniques (directed lie controls and pronoun use) improve polygraph accuracy with sexual assault victims.

Women and Girls: Disproportionate Victimization

One in every six American women has been the victim of a completed or attempted rape during her lifetime, with 14.8% experiencing completed rape and 2.8% experiencing attempted rape [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. As of 1998, an estimated 17.7 million American women had been victims of attempted or completed rape. More recent CDC data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicates even higher prevalence, with more than 1 in 5 women experiencing completed or attempted rape in their lifetimes [4]Verified About Sexual Violence
Confirms CDC data on sexual violence prevalence, health consequences, and $122,461 per-victim cost.

According to BJS data, 82% of all juvenile rape victims are female and 90% of adult rape victims are female [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. Women aged 16 to 19 are four times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than the general population [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. Female college students aged 18 to 24 are three times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence, while females of the same age who are not enrolled in college are four times more likely [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. This counterintuitive finding was confirmed by a BJS study and reported by RAINN, which noted that non-student women in this age group face elevated risks due to factors including less access to campus support services [5]Verified Among Young Women, Non-Students More Likely to be Victimized Than Students
Confirms non-enrolled women 18-24 face higher sexual assault risk than enrolled college students.

Men and Boys: An Underrecognized Crisis

Sexual violence against males is significantly underreported and often overlooked. As of 1998, approximately 2.78 million men in the United States had been victims of attempted or completed rape [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. About 3% of American men — roughly 1 in 33 — have experienced an attempted or completed rape during their lifetime, and 1 in 10 rape victims are male [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data.

Notably, male college students aged 18-24 are approximately five times more likely than non-students of the same age to be victims of rape or sexual assault, according to BJS data [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. When male victims are asked to participate in polygraph examinations, examiners must be especially attuned to these psychological pressures. Research on memory and credibility perceptions by Lauren Ann Monds et al. (2020) highlights how substance use and trauma affect witness credibility assessments [6]Verified Memory and Credibility Perceptions of Alcohol and Other Drug Intoxicated Witnesses and Victims of Crime
Foundational research on how substance intoxication affects witness memory and credibility assessments.

Transgender, Indigenous, and Other High-Risk Populations

Research shows that 21% of transgender, genderqueer, and nonbinary (TGQN) college students have experienced sexual assault, compared to 4% of non-TGQN males and 18% of non-TGQN females [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. This dramatically elevated risk underscores the importance of culturally competent approaches in all aspects of investigation, including any polygraph testing.

Native Americans face disproportionate risk. On average, approximately 5,900 female Native Americans aged 12 and older experience sexual assault per year, and Indigenous Americans are twice as likely to experience a sex crime compared to any other racial group [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. Among sexual assaults against Native Americans, 41% are committed by strangers, 34% by acquaintances, and 25% by intimate partners or family members [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data.

Incarcerated Populations and Military Service Members

Sexual violence within the prison system is a significant concern. In correctional settings, institutional staff perpetrate 60% of all sexual violence against incarcerated people, according to BJS data [7]Verified Statistics: Perpetrators of Sexual Violence
Confirms that 60% of sexual violence against incarcerated people is perpetrated by institutional staff. The Bureau of Justice Statistics' most recent National Inmate Survey (2023-24) found that 4.1% of adult prison inmates reported experiencing sexual victimization [8]Verified Sexual Victimization in Prisons Reported by Inmates, 2023-24
Confirms 4.1% rate of sexual victimization in prisons from most recent BJS survey.

In FY 2018, approximately 6,053 members of the military reported sexual assault during their service, though the Department of Defense estimated the actual number to be approximately 20,500 [1]Verified Statistics: Victims of Sexual Violence
Confirms annual victim count of 443,635, age demographics, gender breakdowns, military statistics, Native American assault rates, and college campus data. The vast majority of military sexual assault goes unreported, further highlighting why polygraph testing protocols in these contexts must be especially rigorous and sensitive.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

The psychological toll of sexual assault is profound: 94% of female rape victims experience PTSD symptoms during the two weeks following the assault, and 30% continue to report PTSD symptoms nine months afterward [9]Verified Sexual Violence Statistics (compiled from RAINN/BJS)
Confirms PTSD rates (94% at 2 weeks, 30% at 9 months), work/school impact (38%), relationship impact (37%), and perpetrator-relationship breakdowns. Approximately 70% of sexual assault victims experience severe to moderate emotional distress, a higher percentage than victims of any other violent crime [9]Verified Sexual Violence Statistics (compiled from RAINN/BJS)
Confirms PTSD rates (94% at 2 weeks, 30% at 9 months), work/school impact (38%), relationship impact (37%), and perpetrator-relationship breakdowns.

These statistics have direct implications for polygraph testing. A victim experiencing PTSD, anxiety, or depression will exhibit physiological responses that could be misinterpreted during a polygraph examination. This is one of the key reasons why specialized training is required for examiners working with sex crime victims. Research by Jeong-Woo Ji (2020) specifically studied the psychophysiological responses of sexual crime victims during polygraph examinations and found that adapting question techniques significantly improved outcomes [3]Verified A Study on the Differences of Psychophysiological Response of Sexual Crime Victims by Question Conditions in Polygraph Examination
Confirms that modified question techniques (directed lie controls and pronoun use) improve polygraph accuracy with sexual assault victims.

Impact on Relationships and Daily Functioning

Sexual violence devastates victims' interpersonal relationships and professional lives. According to data compiled by RAINN, 38% of victims develop problems with their performance at work or school, and 37% experience problems in their relationships with friends and family [9]Verified Sexual Violence Statistics (compiled from RAINN/BJS)
Confirms PTSD rates (94% at 2 weeks, 30% at 9 months), work/school impact (38%), relationship impact (37%), and perpetrator-relationship breakdowns. The severity varies by perpetrator relationship: 84% of survivors victimized by intimate partners experience emotional or professional difficulties, 79% of those victimized by family members or acquaintances experience similar issues, and 67% of those victimized by strangers report such consequences [9]Verified Sexual Violence Statistics (compiled from RAINN/BJS)
Confirms PTSD rates (94% at 2 weeks, 30% at 9 months), work/school impact (38%), relationship impact (37%), and perpetrator-relationship breakdowns.

The relationship between the victim and the perpetrator clearly influences the severity of long-term effects. Victims assaulted by intimate partners or family members tend to experience the most severe consequences, likely due to the compounded betrayal of trust.

Understanding the Request

If law enforcement asks you to take a polygraph exam after reporting a sex crime, it is critically important to understand that being asked does not mean investigators doubt your account. In many cases, undergoing a polygraph can provide evidence that strengthens the prosecution's case. Polygraph results can serve multiple purposes: validating your statement to facilitate an arrest, helping prosecutors build stronger cases, guiding investigators toward areas needing further corroboration, and assisting with case prioritization in jurisdictions with backlogs.

It is essential to emphasize that taking a polygraph exam is not mandatory for victims of sex crimes. You have the absolute right to refuse, and your refusal cannot be used against you or as a reason to discontinue the investigation. Any pressure to take the exam is a violation of your rights. As of 2026, half of U.S. states have laws explicitly prohibiting law enforcement from conducting polygraph tests with someone reporting a sexual assault [10]Verified Utah Bans Polygraph Tests for Sexual Assault Victims
Confirms Utah's 2026 polygraph ban, that half of states have such laws, and the impact of polygraph testing on victims. Utah became the latest state to enact such a ban in 2026, with the law taking effect May 6 [10]Verified Utah Bans Polygraph Tests for Sexual Assault Victims
Confirms Utah's 2026 polygraph ban, that half of states have such laws, and the impact of polygraph testing on victims. For more on this legislative development, see our coverage of Utah's ban on polygraph tests for sexual assault victims.

Addressing Nervousness Concerns

Many victims worry that their nervousness will cause them to produce a deceptive polygraph result. This is a common misconception. Everyone who undergoes a polygraph exam experiences some degree of anxiety; the examiner is fully aware of this. The polygraph instrument measures multiple physiological indicators simultaneously and is designed to distinguish between generalized nervousness and specific deceptive responses.

The American Polygraph Association's meta-analytic survey found that single-issue diagnostic polygraph techniques achieve an aggregated decision accuracy of 89% (confidence interval 83%-95%), while multi-issue techniques achieve 85% accuracy (confidence interval 77%-93%) [11]Verified Polygraph Validity Research - Meta-Analytic Survey
Confirms APA meta-analysis findings of 89% accuracy for single-issue and 85% for multi-issue polygraph techniques. An early meta-analysis of 14 CQT laboratory studies by Kircher, Horowitz, and Raskin (1988) also found accuracy exceeding 85% across studies, with significant moderator effects related to participant motivation levels [12]Verified Meta-Analysis of Mock Crime Studies of the Control Question Polygraph Technique
Confirms accuracy exceeding 85% across 14 CQT laboratory studies with significant moderator effects.

If you are taking prescribed medications, particularly anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, or other psychotropic medications, inform the examiner before the test begins. These can influence your physiological baseline.

Core Legal Protections

The legal protections afforded to sex crime victims during polygraph examinations are robust and exist specifically to prevent the testing process from becoming another source of trauma. These rights include:

The Right to Refuse: Victims of sex crimes are under no legal obligation to submit to a polygraph test. This right is absolute and cannot be waived through verbal pressure or coercion. The investigating officer cannot threaten to stop investigating if you refuse.

Written Consent Requirements: Before any polygraph exam can begin, the examiner must obtain your written, informed consent. This document should clearly outline what the exam involves, your rights, and your ability to stop the test at any time.

Investigative Continuity Guarantees: The investigating officer must provide a written, signed statement confirming the investigation will continue regardless of whether you agree to take the polygraph, and describing investigative strategies already used and those planned going forward.

Right to Legal Counsel: Victims have the right to have an attorney present during the polygraph session. The attorney can observe through a two-way mirror or via closed-circuit television.

Right to Stop the Exam: At any point during the examination, you can request that the examiner end the test immediately. Stopping cannot be used against you.

Miranda Rights: Victims retain all Miranda rights. You have the right to remain silent and to consult with a lawyer before, during, and after the session.

Filing Complaints

If you feel that the examiner or investigating officer has violated your civil rights during the polygraph process, you have the right to file a formal complaint. Complaint procedures vary by state. In states that license polygraph examiners, complaints can typically be filed with the state licensing board or regulatory authority. For example, in Kentucky, the Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet oversees polygraph examiner standards [13]Verified Kentucky Administrative Regulation 502 KAR 20:020 - Polygraph Examiner Standards
Confirms that Kentucky's Secretary of Justice and Public Safety Cabinet oversees polygraph examiner licensing and complaints. In other states, complaints may be directed to law enforcement internal affairs divisions, state attorney general offices, or the American Polygraph Association's ethics committee. Victims may also consult their own attorney or contact their state's victim advocacy organization for guidance.

For information about what constitutes professional examiner conduct and how to evaluate examiner qualifications, you can learn more in our polygraph expert witness guide.

Phase 1: Pre-Test Interview (Approximately 60 Minutes)

Before any instruments are connected, the examiner spends roughly an hour in conversation. During this phase, the examiner will explain how the polygraph instrument works and what physiological responses it measures (breathing rate, blood pressure, heart rate, galvanic skin response). They will review every question they intend to ask — there are no surprise or trick questions. The examiner will answer any of your questions, establish a physiological baseline using control questions about basic biographical information, and assess whether you are physically and mentally fit to take the exam. For more on how long each phase takes, see our guide on how long a polygraph test takes.

Phase 2: The In-Test Phase (Approximately 90 Minutes)

During the actual examination, the polygraph instruments are attached and the examiner asks the pre-reviewed questions. The test typically involves multiple chart collections (usually three to five presentations of the same questions). The examiner monitors your physiological responses throughout. Research has shown that how questions are structured matters significantly for accuracy with sexual assault victims. A 2020 study by Jeong-Woo Ji found that mixing directed lie control questions with standard control questions, and using pronouns rather than perpetrator names, produced significantly better outcomes in polygraph examinations of sexual crime victims [3]Verified A Study on the Differences of Psychophysiological Response of Sexual Crime Victims by Question Conditions in Polygraph Examination
Confirms that modified question techniques (directed lie controls and pronoun use) improve polygraph accuracy with sexual assault victims.

Phase 3: Post-Test Interview

After the charts are collected, the examiner analyzes the data. Modern computerized scoring algorithms such as OSS-3 and PolyScore enhance the reliability of results. A 2024 study by Krapohl and Dutton comparing these algorithms found that OSS-3 correctly identified 71% of truthful and 96% of deceptive individuals [14]Verified Comparison of OSS-3 and PolyScore in Multi-Issue and Single-Issue Field Exams
Confirms OSS-3 correctly identified 71% truthful and 96% deceptive with 14% inconclusive rate. The examiner will discuss the results with you after analysis is complete. If any concerns arise, you have the right to request clarification or to have your attorney review the findings.

Restrictions on Question Content

Polygraph examiners testing sex crime victims are subject to strict limitations on the types of questions they may ask. Questions must be directly related to the specific crime under investigation. Examiners cannot inquire about the victim's sexual history, past relationships, or sexual preferences. Questions designed to humiliate, degrade, or re-traumatize the victim are prohibited. Every question that will be asked during the exam must be reviewed with the victim during the pre-test interview, and the victim must consent to each question before testing begins.

These restrictions exist to protect victims from re-victimization during the investigative process and to ensure the polygraph focuses solely on the facts relevant to the crime being investigated.

How PCSOT Works

Unlike victims, convicted sex offenders are typically required to undergo periodic polygraph exams as part of their parole, probation, or treatment programs. Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT) was first introduced across the U.S. in the mid-1960s, and by 2010, PCSOT was utilized in approximately 79% of adult sex offender community treatment programs [15]Verified Post-conviction polygraph testing of sex offenders
Confirms PCSOT is common in U.S. with approximately 79% of adult programs using it by 2010, increasingly applied in UK. PCSOT is also increasingly used in England and Wales, where mandatory polygraph examinations became a license condition under the Offender Management Act from 2014 [15]Verified Post-conviction polygraph testing of sex offenders
Confirms PCSOT is common in U.S. with approximately 79% of adult programs using it by 2010, increasingly applied in UK. For more on how PCSOT operates in the UK, see our profile of Don Grubin, the psychiatrist who brought PCSOT to the UK.

PCSOT examinations take three basic forms: sexual history disclosure exams, instant offense disclosure exams, and maintenance/monitoring exams [16]Verified APA Model Policy for Post-conviction Sex Offender Testing
Confirms APA PCSOT standards, exam types (sexual history disclosure, instant offense, maintenance), and multidisciplinary framework. Each serves a different purpose within the supervision and treatment framework. For a detailed explanation of the instant offense exam, see our PCSOT instant offense polygraph guide.

Effectiveness of PCSOT in Increasing Disclosures

A landmark study by Ahlmeyer, Heil, McKee, and English (2000) published in the journal Sexual Abuse found that polygraph testing dramatically increased admissions of previously undisclosed victims and offenses, with substantial increases in reported victim counts and offense variety when polygraph was incorporated into treatment [17]Verified The Impact of Polygraphy on Admissions of Victims and Offenses in Adult Sexual Offenders
Confirms polygraph testing dramatically increased admissions of previously undisclosed victims and offenses in sex offender treatment. This research underscores the value of PCSOT as a disclosure tool.

However, while PCSOT consistently facilitates increased disclosures, the evidence for its impact on recidivism rates is still being studied [15]Verified Post-conviction polygraph testing of sex offenders
Confirms PCSOT is common in U.S. with approximately 79% of adult programs using it by 2010, increasingly applied in UK. Programs in states like Colorado, New York, North Carolina, and Arizona all incorporate PCSOT into their sex offender supervision frameworks. For state-specific information, see our guides on PCSOT in New York, PCSOT in North Carolina, and PCSOT-trained examiners in Arizona.

How Trauma Affects Physiological Responses

Trauma responses can significantly affect the physiological measurements a polygraph records. PTSD symptoms — including hyperarousal, heightened startle response, and anxiety — produce physiological changes that mirror some indicators associated with deception. As Utah legislator Angela Romero noted when sponsoring the 2026 polygraph ban bill, trauma responses such as lack of eye contact, stalling before answering questions, nervousness, and erratic breathing are common trauma symptoms that overlap with signs law enforcement may interpret as deceptive behavior [10]Verified Utah Bans Polygraph Tests for Sexual Assault Victims
Confirms Utah's 2026 polygraph ban, that half of states have such laws, and the impact of polygraph testing on victims.

This is precisely why specialized PCSOT-professional examiners with training in trauma-informed testing approaches are essential when administering polygraphs to sex crime victims. Research by Nahari and Ben-Shakhar (2010) examined how memory strength affects detection accuracy and found that central crime details produced stronger physiological responses than peripheral details [18]Verified Psychophysiological and Behavioral Measures for Detecting Concealed Information: The Role of Memory for Crime Details
Confirms central crime details produce stronger physiological responses than peripheral details in concealed information testing, which has important implications for test design with trauma-affected examinees.

Medications and Mental Health Considerations

Victims taking medications for PTSD, depression, or anxiety should inform the examiner before testing. Substances including benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin), antidepressants, and other psychotropic medications can alter physiological baselines and must be accounted for during test interpretation. Similarly, alcohol and drug use — which sexual assault survivors use at higher rates as coping mechanisms [4]Verified About Sexual Violence
Confirms CDC data on sexual violence prevalence, health consequences, and $122,461 per-victim cost — can influence test results. Research by Monds et al. (2020) on memory and credibility perceptions of intoxicated witnesses provides important context for understanding these interactions [6]Verified Memory and Credibility Perceptions of Alcohol and Other Drug Intoxicated Witnesses and Victims of Crime
Foundational research on how substance intoxication affects witness memory and credibility assessments.

State Bans on Victim Polygraph Testing

A growing number of U.S. states have enacted legislation explicitly prohibiting law enforcement from requiring or requesting polygraph tests from sexual assault victims. As of 2026, approximately half of U.S. states have such laws in place [10]Verified Utah Bans Polygraph Tests for Sexual Assault Victims
Confirms Utah's 2026 polygraph ban, that half of states have such laws, and the impact of polygraph testing on victims. Utah became one of the most recent states to enact this protection, with Governor Spencer Cox signing HB 89 into law in March 2026 after years of advocacy [10]Verified Utah Bans Polygraph Tests for Sexual Assault Victims
Confirms Utah's 2026 polygraph ban, that half of states have such laws, and the impact of polygraph testing on victims.

The Utah law was motivated in part by the story of a sexual assault victim who agreed to take a polygraph test and received deceptive results, which devastated him and undermined his willingness to continue with the investigation [10]Verified Utah Bans Polygraph Tests for Sexual Assault Victims
Confirms Utah's 2026 polygraph ban, that half of states have such laws, and the impact of polygraph testing on victims. This case illustrates exactly why these protections matter. Federal funding compliance is also a factor — organizations receiving Department of Justice grants for victim services must ensure that state laws, policies, or practices prevent survivors from being compelled to take polygraphs [10]Verified Utah Bans Polygraph Tests for Sexual Assault Victims
Confirms Utah's 2026 polygraph ban, that half of states have such laws, and the impact of polygraph testing on victims.

For a detailed analysis of this landmark legislation, read our coverage: Utah Bans Polygraph Tests for Sexual Assault Victims.

Getting Help

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, confidential support is available 24/7:

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 800-656-HOPE (4673), chat at RAINN.org/hotline, or text HOPE to 64673.

DoD Safe Helpline: For military members, available at safehelpline.org.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233.

Remember: You are never obligated to take a polygraph test. If you have been asked to take one, consult an attorney before making any decision. If you do choose to proceed, understanding the process and your rights — as outlined in this guide — will help you make an informed choice.

For additional guidance on how polygraph evidence can affect legal proceedings, see our guides on confessions during polygraphs and their legal consequences and polygraph court admissibility in Maryland.