Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat to Do FirstRoad to Recovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What to Do First
Road to Recovery
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or raped,contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) oronline.rainn.org. Counselors with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) are available to chat 24/7.988Rape andsexual assaultare traumatic, life-altering experiences that should never be minimized or dismissed. Here’s what to do if you or someone you know has been raped.Trigger Warning:This article contains information about sexual violence and rape that may be triggering for some survivors.What to Do FirstBeing violated in some way—through rape, sexual assault, or abuse—can leave you feeling shocked, scared, and uncertain of what to do next. Here are some things to do right away.Go Someplace SafeSafety is your first priority. Go someplace safe as soon as you’re able—for example, to a hospital, clinic, or friend’s house.If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 911. Next, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). They can walk you through the process of getting help.Wait to Wash, If PossibleMost people who have been assaulted or raped want to take a shower or bath right away. Although it might be not easy, try to hold off even brushing your teeth or combing your hair until you have been examined. Keeping evidence intact helps investigators prosecute your case.Likewise, try not to eat, drink, smoke, or take medications until an investigator arrives and gathers evidence. Even if you don’t plan to press charges, evidence must be left intact—especially because you might change your mind down the road.Get Medical TreatmentUnderstandably, the last thing you want is to be touched, poked, or prodded, but for your health and safety, you must get a medical examination right away. Healthcare providers who specialize in this area know how to be caring and sensitive to what you might need and have experienced.They’ll test you for sexually transmitted diseases and provide post-exposure prophylactics to help prevent HIV. They can also provide emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy if so desired.Visit RAINN’sState Law Databaseto learn more about state laws and statutes surrounding rape, assault, molestation, and other crimes involving sexual violence.Decide Whether to Talk to PoliceWhat happened to you is a crime, but you are not required to report it to the police unless you want to. It is 100% your decision.Some survivors say that filing a report helped themregain a sense of controlover their lives. If you do decide to report what happened, consider taking a friend or relative with you for support.If you want to hold off on reporting the crime, be sure to familiarize yourself with the statute of limitations for rape and sexual assault in your jurisdiction.The Road to RecoveryYou’ll likely experience many emotional and psychological reactions to the incident, including:DepressionThoughts of suicideFlashbacksPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.Some victims even engage in self-destructive practices such asself-harm,eating disorders, and substance abuse as a way to cope. But these things do not have to be the reality for you.To find healthy ways of coping with what happened, reach out for help. The support of friends and family is crucial, but outside help through support groups, individual counseling, and recovery programs will help you move forward in a healthy way. The key is to find what works for you. Here are are a few ideas.Online support is amazing, and there’s a lot of it for people with IBD. But sometimes you need a hug.Image © Tom Merton / Caiaimage / Getty ImagesPractice Self-CareAfter a trauma such as rape or sexual assault, it’s important to take care of your body—even if you don’t want to. Along with healing from any injuries, be sure you are eating right, exercising, andgetting enough sleep.If you are having trouble sleeping or are experiencing nightmares, talk to a healthcare provider. They may be able to prescribe something to help you sleep and offer suggestions for dealing withnightmaresand flashbacks.In addition to caring for yourself physically, take care of yourself emotionally. Some people find journaling,meditation, and inspirational books helpful. Others enjoy hanging out with friends or watching movies. Read reviews beforehand so you can avoid movies and tv shows that feature things that aretriggeringfor you.Tashdique Mehtaj Ahmed / Getty ImagesConsider TherapyTherapy and support groups are useful to many people in their recovery. They offer non-judgmental spaces where you can talk about and work through the challenges and emotions you are experiencing.Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.Therapy also is useful if you are experiencing depression or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide. A counselor or psychotherapist can provide treatment for these conditions.For therapy to be effective, you must be comfortable and open with your therapist. Whenselecting a therapist, make sure the person is experienced in helping victims of sexual assault and rape. Interview a few therapists or even have a few sessions before deciding on a long-term plan.The Best Online Trauma Therapy, Tried and TestedIf you have been assaulted or raped, remember: What you are feeling, thinking, and experiencing are normal reactions to trauma. No matter how difficult life may feel right now, there is hope.A Word From VerywellNo matter what route to recovery you take, remind yourself that what happened is not your fault. You are not to blame; nothing you did caused this to happen. The person who assaulted you made their own choice.More importantly, people are available who are specially trained to help with your situation. Reaching out to them and accepting their help is an act of courage that thousands do every day. With patience, help, and persistence, you can heal and move on with your life.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or raped,contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) oronline.rainn.org. Counselors with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) are available to chat 24/7.988
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or raped,contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) oronline.rainn.org. Counselors with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) are available to chat 24/7.
988
Rape andsexual assaultare traumatic, life-altering experiences that should never be minimized or dismissed. Here’s what to do if you or someone you know has been raped.
Trigger Warning:This article contains information about sexual violence and rape that may be triggering for some survivors.
Being violated in some way—through rape, sexual assault, or abuse—can leave you feeling shocked, scared, and uncertain of what to do next. Here are some things to do right away.
Go Someplace Safe
Safety is your first priority. Go someplace safe as soon as you’re able—for example, to a hospital, clinic, or friend’s house.
If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 911. Next, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). They can walk you through the process of getting help.
Wait to Wash, If Possible
Most people who have been assaulted or raped want to take a shower or bath right away. Although it might be not easy, try to hold off even brushing your teeth or combing your hair until you have been examined. Keeping evidence intact helps investigators prosecute your case.
Likewise, try not to eat, drink, smoke, or take medications until an investigator arrives and gathers evidence. Even if you don’t plan to press charges, evidence must be left intact—especially because you might change your mind down the road.
Get Medical Treatment
Understandably, the last thing you want is to be touched, poked, or prodded, but for your health and safety, you must get a medical examination right away. Healthcare providers who specialize in this area know how to be caring and sensitive to what you might need and have experienced.
They’ll test you for sexually transmitted diseases and provide post-exposure prophylactics to help prevent HIV. They can also provide emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy if so desired.
Visit RAINN’sState Law Databaseto learn more about state laws and statutes surrounding rape, assault, molestation, and other crimes involving sexual violence.
Decide Whether to Talk to Police
What happened to you is a crime, but you are not required to report it to the police unless you want to. It is 100% your decision.
Some survivors say that filing a report helped themregain a sense of controlover their lives. If you do decide to report what happened, consider taking a friend or relative with you for support.
If you want to hold off on reporting the crime, be sure to familiarize yourself with the statute of limitations for rape and sexual assault in your jurisdiction.
The Road to Recovery
You’ll likely experience many emotional and psychological reactions to the incident, including:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Some victims even engage in self-destructive practices such asself-harm,eating disorders, and substance abuse as a way to cope. But these things do not have to be the reality for you.
To find healthy ways of coping with what happened, reach out for help. The support of friends and family is crucial, but outside help through support groups, individual counseling, and recovery programs will help you move forward in a healthy way. The key is to find what works for you. Here are are a few ideas.
Online support is amazing, and there’s a lot of it for people with IBD. But sometimes you need a hug.Image © Tom Merton / Caiaimage / Getty Images
Practice Self-Care
After a trauma such as rape or sexual assault, it’s important to take care of your body—even if you don’t want to. Along with healing from any injuries, be sure you are eating right, exercising, andgetting enough sleep.
If you are having trouble sleeping or are experiencing nightmares, talk to a healthcare provider. They may be able to prescribe something to help you sleep and offer suggestions for dealing withnightmaresand flashbacks.
In addition to caring for yourself physically, take care of yourself emotionally. Some people find journaling,meditation, and inspirational books helpful. Others enjoy hanging out with friends or watching movies. Read reviews beforehand so you can avoid movies and tv shows that feature things that aretriggeringfor you.
Tashdique Mehtaj Ahmed / Getty Images
Consider Therapy
Therapy and support groups are useful to many people in their recovery. They offer non-judgmental spaces where you can talk about and work through the challenges and emotions you are experiencing.
Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Get Help Now
We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Therapy also is useful if you are experiencing depression or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide. A counselor or psychotherapist can provide treatment for these conditions.
For therapy to be effective, you must be comfortable and open with your therapist. Whenselecting a therapist, make sure the person is experienced in helping victims of sexual assault and rape. Interview a few therapists or even have a few sessions before deciding on a long-term plan.
The Best Online Trauma Therapy, Tried and Tested
If you have been assaulted or raped, remember: What you are feeling, thinking, and experiencing are normal reactions to trauma. No matter how difficult life may feel right now, there is hope.
A Word From Verywell
No matter what route to recovery you take, remind yourself that what happened is not your fault. You are not to blame; nothing you did caused this to happen. The person who assaulted you made their own choice.
More importantly, people are available who are specially trained to help with your situation. Reaching out to them and accepting their help is an act of courage that thousands do every day. With patience, help, and persistence, you can heal and move on with your life.
SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexual violence is preventable. Updated January 8, 2020.Rape Abuse and Incest National Network.Reporting to law enforcement.
Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexual violence is preventable. Updated January 8, 2020.Rape Abuse and Incest National Network.Reporting to law enforcement.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexual violence is preventable. Updated January 8, 2020.Rape Abuse and Incest National Network.Reporting to law enforcement.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexual violence is preventable. Updated January 8, 2020.
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network.Reporting to law enforcement.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
