What to Do After Being Raped: A Guide for Survivors
Experiencing sexual violence is a traumatic and deeply personal event. This includes being raped, attempted rape, sexual coercion or unwanted sexual touches.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, it’s important to remember that you are not alone, and it is not your fault.
The hours and days after an assault can feel overwhelming, but there are steps you can take to prioritise your safety, health, and healing. This blog post will help outline practical actions you can take, resources available to you in South Africa, and tips for navigating this difficult time.
Why the First 72 Hours Matter
The first few days after a sexual assault or rape are critical for a survivor’s physical and emotional recovery. Here’s why:
Access to Emotional Support
Having someone to talk to – a loved one, a nurse, or someone from an anti-GBV organisation like ours – can help you process what happened and begin your healing journey. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Timely Medical Treatment
Certain medications, like emergency contraception or HIV prevention (PEP), are most effective when taken within 72 hours. Seeking medical care as soon as possible is crucial for your future health, helping to prevent infections, unwanted pregnancy, and long-term complications.
Acting quickly ensures you get the treatment and support you need to stay physically and emotionally healthy.
What to Do After Being Raped
1. Go to a Safe Place
Your safety is the top priority. If you are in immediate danger, try to remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible. Go to a place where you feel secure, such as your home, a trusted friend or family member, or any other location where you can feel protected and supported.
Surrounding yourself with people who care about you and can provide emotional or practical support is vital. Remember, you do not have to face this alone. Your safety and well-being are important.
2. Talk to Someone You Trust
Reaching out to a trusted person can make a significant difference in how you begin to heal after an experience of sexual violence. This could be a close friend or supportive family member who listens without judgment and offers comfort.
If you feel unsure about speaking to someone you know, consider reaching out to an organisation like ours, Rape Crisis or Tears Foundation. These organisations are staffed with professionals trained to provide emotional support, practical advice, and guidance tailored to your situation.
Talking to someone who understands your trauma can help you feel less alone, validate your feelings, and provide resources to support your journey toward healing. Remember, seeking support is not a sign of weakness; it’s a powerful step toward reclaiming your strength and agency.
3. Keep Evidence (If You Decide to Report Later)
If you think you might report the assault, even if not immediately, it’s important to take steps to preserve evidence. Here’s what you can do:
Avoid bathing, brushing your teeth, or changing clothes if you want to report to the police immediately. While it might feel natural to want to clean yourself after an assault, doing so can wash away physical evidence like DNA. This evidence could be essential.
Bring the clothes you were wearing during the assault. If you’ve changed, place the clothes in a paper bag or newspaper (not a plastic bag) to preserve evidence. Remember, collecting evidence does not obligate you to report the assault immediately or at all – it simply keeps your options open for the future.
Your choices are yours, and there is no “right” timeline for opening a case or seeking justice.
4. Seek Medical Attention
Getting medical care is crucial for both your physical and emotional well-being after a sexual assault. Medical professionals can help treat physical injuries, prevent infections, and provide emotional support. Seeking care also ensures that vital evidence can be collected if you decide to report the assault.
Here are your options for medical care in South Africa:
- Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs): These centres provide free medical care, forensic exams, counselling, and HIV prevention medication. There are 54 TCCs across South Africa. You can find a list here.
- Netcare Hospitals: They offer free treatment and support for rape survivors of all genders.
- Your Doctor or Local Clinic: You can visit any doctor you feel comfortable with. Make sure to let the medical staff know that you need assistance after a sexual assault. Even if some time has passed, seeking medical help is never too late.
Requesting a J88 Form
It is important always to request a J88 form during your medical visit in case you choose to report the assault to the police at a later stage.
A J88 form is a legal document a doctor or nurse completes to record physical injuries and medical findings. It serves as crucial evidence in legal proceedings and can strengthen your case if you choose to seek justice.
If you need a J88, inform the doctor that it is for legal purposes. The form will document any injuries, including physical trauma, bruises, or DNA evidence. Even if you’re unsure about reporting the assault right away, having a completed J88 keeps your options open for the future.
Remember, getting medical attention is about protecting your health and preserving your choices. It’s a step toward taking back control and accessing the care and support you deserve.
5. Prevent Infections and Pregnancy
After a sexual assault, protecting your health is a priority. Seeking medical care ensures treatment for physical injuries and helps prevent infections and unwanted pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know:
- HIV Prevention (PEP): The doctor should always perform an HIV test. After the test, they may prescribe post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a medication that reduces the risk of HIV infection if started within 72 hours. It’s essential to complete the 28-day course, even if the side effects are challenging.
- Emergency Contraception: To prevent pregnancy, they can offer you the “morning-after pill.” This medication is most effective within 72 hours.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Medical professionals may prescribe antibiotics to prevent or treat STIs. If you later notice discomfort, itching, or unusual discharge, return to a doctor for further evaluation.
- Rape Kit Examination: During your medical visit, a clinical forensic practitioner can perform a forensic exam, which includes collecting physical evidence such as DNA samples, documenting injuries, and providing preventative treatments. While undergoing this exam is your choice, having it done ensures evidence is preserved in case you decide to report the assault.
Reporting a sexual assault is a deeply personal and often difficult decision. It’s important to know that opening a case is your responsibility, and whatever you decide is okay. There is no right or wrong decision – what matters most is what feels right for you in your own time.
If you decide to report the assault, here are some steps you can take:
Contact the South African Police Service (SAPS): You can visit any police station to report the crime. The officers will take your statement and assist in opening a case. If you have any evidence, such as clothing or items from the incident, bring them to support your report. You can request to speak with a female officer if it makes you more comfortable. Consider bringing a trusted family member or friend to accompany and support you during this process. Their presence can provide reassurance and help ease the experience.
Seek Help at a Hospital or Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC): If you’re at a hospital or TCC, the staff can guide you through opening a case with the police. They are trained to assist survivors and ensure they get the needed support.
It’s okay if you feel uncertain about whether to report the assault. Many survivors choose not to, and that decision is valid. Remember, whether or not you report the assault, you deserve support, care, and compassion. The most important thing is focusing on your healing and safety. If you need someone to talk to about your options, organisations like Rape Crisis South Africa or Women For Change can provide guidance and emotional support.
You are in control of your journey, and whatever decision you make is the right one for you.
7. Take Time to Heal
Healing after a traumatic event like sexual assault is a journey, and it’s important to give yourself the time and space you need to recover physically and emotionally. Trauma affects everyone differently, and there is no “right” timeline for healing. Whether you need a few days off work, school or longer to process what happened, listening to your body and mind is essential.
If you feel unwell or emotionally overwhelmed, speak to a doctor about getting a medical certificate. This document can give you time to rest, recover, and seek support. Remember, you don’t have to rush back into your routine until you feel ready.
Healing may involve reaching out to a counsellor, engaging in activities that comfort you, or simply allowing yourself to rest without judgment. You don’t have to do it all at once; take things one step at a time. It’s also important to acknowledge that healing isn’t linear. There may be days when you feel strong and days when the pain feels overwhelming. Both are part of the process. Be gentle with yourself, and remember that your feelings are valid.
If you are a survivor of sexual violence, you can also reach out to the following organisations in South Africa: