Immediately After an Assault

Making decisions in the midst of a traumatic event can be hard, so having a trusted family member or friend around to talk to can be immensely helpful. It’s important that you have control and final say in all decisions, so find someone who will listen and support you. Try to avoid choosing a person who will pressure you to approach the situation in a way that you don’t want to.

Your first instinct might be to run to the shower and clean yourself off. However, showering will wash away most physical evidence and DNA from your attacker. It’s crucial that you wait to shower until after you have decided whether or not you are going to the hospital or the police.

The clothing that you were wearing during the assault might be collected as forensic evidence, so it’s important that you continue to wear whatever you had on during the assault and that it has not been washed. Until you have made a decision about whether or not to report your assault, avoid changing. If you choose not to report, you can of course change.

In cases of rape or sexual assault, we recommend going first to the hospital rather than to the police. You don’t have to go, but if you do, the hospital will be able both to treat your injuries and to collect forensic evidence, and going there first does not keep you from going to the police afterwards. But being treated for your own injuries is, we believe, the first priority. Although thoroughly thinking through all your options is important, going to the hospital as soon as you can is critical. Being treated for your injuries as soon as possible will help your body to heal and recover. Collecting evidence is time sensitive, so the sooner you get there, the easier it will be for the hospital to do their job correctly.

You will be overwhelmed at the hospital. Bring somebody to advocate for you, listen, take notes if necessary, and just be there to support you.