If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can take the following immediate steps:
- Go to a safe place. Tell someone you trust about what happened.
- If you do not feel safe in your home, is there a friend or family member you can stay with, even for a short period of time? If for any reason that is not an option, think of a public space that you can be in, even for a few hours while you collect your thoughts and think through next steps of safety. Reach out to a hotline for support and to review your options. If you are physically injured or you cannot keep yourself safe due to your own feelings of self-harm or suicide, go to your nearest emergency room for help.
- Before talking about a traumatic event that has happened to you, pause and consider if this person is generally supportive of you. You could ask if you generally feel better after speaking with this person. Do they listen? Do they genuinely care for me? Will I have to take care of them, if I tell them something difficult? You may still decide to tell the person because they are important to you and you want them to know what has happened to you, but you’ll be better prepared for their reaction. And, slow yourself down just a little to consider what type of support you need in the moment.
- Report the crime. It is your choice to report the crime to the police. Call 911 if you want police assistance.
- Collect evidence. Evidence can be collected up to 120 hours after an assault. If you want evidence collected, do not shower, bathe, douche, brush your teeth, or throw away any clothing that might contain evidence of the assault. Save articles of clothing, bedding etc. in separate paper bags and bring them to the hospital or give to the police.
- Get medical assistance at any time. You may seek medical care without reporting the crime to the police. Go to the hospital emergency room for treatment of injuries, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, and crisis intervention and emotional support services. Physical evidence for medical/legal services can also be collected at this time. Evidence can be collected within 5 days of the assault. You do not have to provide documentation status in order to receive care. You can receive care and an examination from a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner free of charge if you are reporting a recent sexual assault.
- If you suspect that you were given any type of drug, there is much greater likelihood of being able to detect the drug if the testing is administered as soon as possible up to 72 hours after the assault.
- For pregnancy prophylaxis, you must begin the medication within 96 hours of the assault.
- HIV prophylaxis is much more effective if initiated soon after the potential exposure.
- Learn more about sexual assault forensics.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)-certified site. SANE-certified nurses are specifically trained to perform exams and collect forensic evidence from sexual assault survivors.
Get Help from the CVPR for Sexual Assault
The BIDMC’s Rape Crisis Intervention Program, founded in 1974, is one of the first hospital-based rape crisis centers in the country. In 1997, this program became part of the CVPR. Patients can seek medical care whether or not they report the assault to the police. You may receive free care and do not have to use your insurance. The program offers comprehensive services for survivors of sexual assault, their families, and friends. Services include:
- In the emergency room of BIDMC: crisis intervention for emotional trauma and contact with social worker to receive information on patients’ rights, options, resources
- Contact with social worker for patients in the Infectious Diseases Clinic for a follow-up session
- Trauma-focused therapy for survivors and their families and friends, support groups
- Medical accompaniment for HIV-post exposure prophylaxis
- Assistance navigating medical, criminal justice, and other institutions/systems
- Assistance accessing community resources and services
Impact of Sexual Assault
Sexual violence affects everyone differently. A survivor’s experience of trauma is unique which is why it can cause a wide range of emotions. There is no right or wrong way to react to trauma. In order to recover and heal, it requires time and support. There are normal reactions and side effects to the trauma. Learn how side effects of trauma can help survivors normalize and identify reactions they are experiencing.
Resources for Sexual Assault
