After a rape or sexual assault you may be affected emotionally and physically. Only you can decide what you feel up to doing in the following hours, days or weeks.
But there are certain pieces of advice we can offer you, so that you have the knowledge you need to make the right decisions for you, and get the support you need.
Safety first
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, the first thing you need to do is go somewhere you feel safe, such as the home of a close friend or family member.
Then, if you feel you're able to, you should consider telling someone you trust what has happened. You shouldn't feel ashamed or to blame for what has happened to you.
You should talk to:
- a friend or family member,
- a specialised support organisation such as Victim Support on 0845 30 30 900, or
- NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
If you speak to someone from an organisation, they will be able to give you support and advice over the telephone. (You don't have to give them your name if you would prefer not to.) A Victim Support volunteer can also visit you at home, if you would prefer to talk to someone face-to-face.
Try to resist the urge to wash yourself or your clothes until you have decided whether to report what happened to the police.
If you do decide to report the crime to the police, they have a better chance of achieving an identification and a successful prosecution case if they have DNA evidence. In order to get this evidence a specially trained doctor will need to take samples of your saliva, urine, blood and pubic hair, and swabs from your mouth, rectum and genitals.
If you go to the police station, a police officer will arrange for these swabs and samples to be taken by a doctor in a special examination suite.
If you're not sure whether you want to go to the police, you can go with a friend or family member to your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (see 'further information') where you can have forensic and medical examinations. Swabs can be taken from any area that the assailant came into contact with you, and then stored in case you do decide to report it to the police at a later time.
Treatment
Even if you are unsure whether to report the crime to the police, it is advisable to get some medical support after a rape or sexual assault. You may have injuries that need treating. It is also advisable to get advice on emergency contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
You can go to:
- A&E (accident and emergency),
- a family planning clinic,
- a Brook Advisory Centre,
- your GP,
- a sexual health clinic (also known as GUM clinic), or
- a sexual health clinic run by the FPA (see 'related articles').
All doctors and nurses will deal with your medical needs confidentially, and they will not inform the police.
If you think you might report the crime to the police, you should tell a doctor or nurse so that they can arrange some forensic swabs for you that could be used as evidence. You can have the swabs taken, and still decide not to go to the police.
Emergency contraception
If you are a woman and have been forced to have sex without any contraception, such as a condom, there is a chance you could become pregnant. Emergency contraception, if used in time, can prevent a pregnancy occurring.
There are two methods of emergency contraception:
- the emergency pill (also known as the morning after pill), and
- the copper IUD (intrauterine device).
Emergency pills are given as a single tablet, to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex (sex without contraception). The use of the emergency pill is not recommended after 72 hours (three days) as the chances of it working are greatly reduced.
The copper IUD is fitted in the womb by a doctor or nurse within five days of unprotected sex or the earliest time you could have released an egg (ovulation). The IUD has almost a 100% success rate.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Even if you don't have any symptoms it's best to have a check up for STIs. Your GP or family planning nurse can refer you to a GUM clinic for further testing. You may choose to have an HIV test. If you decide to have an HIV test you will be offered counselling first.
Alternatively, you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 to speak to someone in confidence about any concerns you may have.
Reporting a sexual assault or rape to the police
Only you can decide whether to report a sexual offence to the police. It can be done at any time, for example, immediately after the incident or days later.
It's important to be aware that if you report the crime immediately after it has happened, the police have an increased chance of collecting evidence.
If you report an attack later it's likely that any physical evidence will be lost. Ideally, medical evidence should be collected within 72 hours (three days) of the attack. Your clothes may also be needed as evidence, so remember to take spare clothing with you to change into if possible. If not, don't worry - the police can provide a spare set of clothes for you to change in to.
The police are trained to deal with cases of rape and sexual assault. They are there to help you.
They have set procedures that make sure you get the support you need, and ensure that where possible they get the evidence they need to identify and prosecute the attacker.
If you are unsure as to what to do you can call the Victim Supportline on 0845 30 30 900 for advice and information about your options.
The procedure
If you choose to report the sexual offence a police officer will start by taking your details.
If the attack occurred recently the police will arrange for you to have a medical examination. This is to ensure that you receive the necessary medical attention, but also to collect any physical evidence.
Once you feel ready the police will continue to take a statement from you. This will be used as the main piece of evidence if the case goes to trial (court). This means your statement is not confidential. However, all your personal information, such as your name and address, will not be included in the statement.
You may feel embarrassed or find it difficult, but try to tell them as much information as you can. If you cannot remember certain details, tell them that you cannot remember. Tell them if you have washed or not since the assault. Also, let them know if you whether you drank any alcohol or took any recreational drugs before the assault.
If you're worried you might forget some of the details, write everything down beforehand, even just in note form, to remind yourself later. For example:
- at roughly what time the assault happened,
- the sequence of events that lead up to the assault,
- any conversations that could be relevant,
- how you tried to resist the assault,
- any details about the appearance of the attacker,
- any threats that were used against you,
- any weapons that were mentioned or seen during the assault,
- any injuries that you received, and
- any injuries that the attacker received.
Support and advice
Being raped or sexually assaulted can be an extremely distressing experience. Everyone reacts differently, and your feelings tend to change over time, or even day-to-day. You are likely to go through a range of emotions, such as fear, anxiety, shock and guilt. But what's important to remember is that if you've been the victim of a sexual assault or rape, it was not your fault.
You may feel that you need some help getting over what has happened, even if it is just someone to talk to.
A close friend or family member may be the best person to confide in, or you may prefer to talk to someone you don't know, such as a counsellor or a support group. Your GP surgery should be able to give you the contact numbers for support groups in your area.
If you are experiencing anxiety or symptoms of depression (see 'related articles'), you should see your GP who can offer you support and advice. They can refer you to a counsellor, and they may also prescribe you medication, such as antidepressants.
Remember, you can seek help either directly after the assault, or in the following days, months or years.
Helplines
It's important to remember that Victim Support can help you even if you don't report a crime to the police. Volunteers are able to visit you at home, or talk to you confidentially over the phone on their Victim Supportline 0845 30 30 900.
The Samaritans are available 24 hours-a-day on 08457 90 90 90, and are there to listen and support.
Similarly, the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 is available 24 hours-a-day, and is also a freephone number.
This helpline is available to women experiencing domestic violence (and friends and family of anyone in danger) and can provide 24-hour emergency refuge accommodation and a range of information.
Further information:
