How to help an assault victim
- Contact a close friend or relative with whom you would feel comfortable talking.
- If a friend tells you that she/he has been raped, believe her/him. False alarms are rare. It is important to listen and encourage the person to call a crisis center, contact the police and receive treatment.
- Call a rape-crisis center or rape-crisis hotline. Rape-crisis centers are staffed with professional counselors who will help you begin to sort out your feelings. Counselors are available 24 hours a day and all calls are confidential.
- Contact the police. By contacting the police, you will have some flexibility in your legal options. You may or may not decide to prosecute. But if you do, the necessary evidence will have been collected.
- Get medical treatment. Evidence will be collected by medical professionals. It is important that you do not take a shower, go to the bathroom or brush your teeth before receiving medical treatment. It destroys crucial evidence. Secondly, seeking medical help will help prevent any possible consequences of rape such as sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy.
SEXUAL ABUSE RESOURCES:
Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline
1-800-643-6250
Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center
1-800-871-7741
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