If You Have Just Been Assaulted...

Immediately following a sexual assault, there are a few key things for you to do:

1. Get away from the attacker and get to a safe place as fast as you can.
   
   
2. Go to Lakeridge Health.
   
   
3. Call a friend or family member you trust. You also can call a crisis center or a hotline to talk with a counselor. Feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and shock are normal. It is important to get counseling from a trusted professional.
   
   
4. Resist the urge to wash, comb, douche or clean any part of your body. Keep the clothes on that you were wearing during the assault. if possible, so the hospital staff can collect evidence. Do not clean your teeth, drink or eat if there was oral penetration. Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault. Bring a change of clothes with you, if you would prefer to wear your own clothes, as your clothes may be kept for evidence
   
   
5. Go to your nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible. You need to be examined, treated for any injuries, and screened for possible sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or pregnancy. The doctor will collect evidence using a rape kit (Forensic kit) for fibers, hairs, saliva, semen, or clothing that the attacker may have left behind.. The evidence will be destroyed at the end of 3 months unless advised differently ( you have decided to press charges and want to release the kit as evidence to the police).
   
   
6. You or the hospital staff can call the police from the emergency room to file a report if you choose to do so. Sexual assault is a crime but it is up to you whether you wish to report to the Police or not
   
   
7. Ask the hospital staff about possible support groups you can attend right away.

Sexually Transmitted Disease and Pregnancy

STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) it is an infection or disease passed from person to person through sexual contact (through vaginal, anal or oral sex).

AIDS

The risk of contracting AIDS from a sexual assault is very low. However, if you know little or nothing about your assailant, or if you have reason to believe AIDS is a concern, you may wish to be tested for HIV, but we recommend you wait 3 months.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It is found in bodily fluids of people with Hepatitis B, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions and saliva. The virus can be spread through sexual contact.

Pregnancy Prophylaxis

The morning-after pill is used to prevent pregnancy after a sexual assault.

It must be used within 72 hours of the unprotected intercourse in order to be effective. This can be dispensed at the hospital.