Believe in yourself. Know that when you are forced to have ANY form of sexual contact without your consent, it is NOT your fault.
Find a safe environment - anywhere away from the attacker. Contact someone immediately that you trust to come and stay with you for support.
Do not change your clothes, do not bathe or brush your teeth. Do not go to the bathroom if possible. This is in order to preserve evidence if you choose to make a police report. Going to the Advocacy Center or hospital does not always mean you have to notify the police. It is for your medical safety to be examined. Even with no visible physical injuries, it is important to determine if internal injuries were sustained (such as tearing or bruising), and to weigh the risks of STDs and pregnancy.
Write down all the details you can recall about the assault and the perpetrator, even if it is someone you know.
In order to preserve any forensic evidence, ask the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nurse and the advocate to explain what the Forensic Evidence Kit is, how it is performed, what the process is once it is completed and the benefits of the procedure. If there was no penetration, you may still have the kit completed to obtain evidence elsewhere on your body.
If you suspect you may have been drugged, report immediately to SANE Nurse. The window period to collect evidence of drugs (either through a urine sample or blood) is extremely short.
Report the sexual assault to local law enforcement authorities, even if the assault occurred in another district. An advocate can provide the information you'll need to understand the criminal justice system process.
Recognize that healing from sexual assault or any trauma takes time. Allow yourself the time you will need to recover emotionally, mentally, and physically. There is no set time frame for your healing process.
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