WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED

BE WITH SOMEONE WHO CARES 

This is not a time to be alone.  You need to talk to someone you can trust and get comforted by them.  You also need to make yourself feel safe.  Take whatever steps you need to make yourself feel safe.

GET MEDICAL ATTENTION 

This is important in order to check for injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and to prevent pregnancy.  It’s also very important for gathering evidence if you want to press charges.  You should not shower or clean yourself first.

DECIDE WHTHER YOU WANT TO REPORT TO THE POLICE 

This is your decision to make even if you have gone to the hospital for a medical exam.

DECIDE WHO YOU WANT TO TELL 

Who of your friends or family can you tell who you know will try to understand and help.  It is very important to tell someone and be able to talk about the sexual assault.  This will help you deal with it now rather than have it continue to bother you for years after.

TALK TO A TRAINED COUNSELLOR

By phone on the rape crisis line or in person at a sexual assault care centre.  A doctor or school counsellor could help you contact someone.  This is very important because you have been through a trauma and will need help to deal with the situation and your feelings.  Friends and family can be helpful, however, they often do not know how they can best help you.  Women who go to counselling to talk about their experience cope with it much faster and with fewer long-lasting effects than those women who do not go for help.

DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF 

You were not responsible for the sexual assault, he was.  Often women blame themselves because thinking back, they see many things they “should have” or “shouldn’t have” done.  It is impossible for you to know that this man would sexually assault you.  Even if you believe you were (naïve) not careful or even foolish, you did not ask to be sexually assaulted.  Your behaviour did not cause the sexual assault, his did.