Sexual Assault: What to Know

Sexual assault is when someone forces another person to do something sexual using threats, pressure, or tricks.

• The person says "No."
• The person is unable to say "Yes," because:
  • They're too young.
  • They have a disability.
  • They're under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Touching.
• Forcing someone to do do sex acts on another person.
• Putting anything, like a penis or an object, into someone else's vagina, mouth, or anus without their consent (rape).

What more should I know about sexual assault?

• Sexual assault is not just about sex. It can also be used to hurt, embarrass, or control someone.
• Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault and can commit sexual assault.
• People are usually assaulted by someone they know.
• Even though assault can happen in different ways, the person who is being assaulted is never to blame.

If you have experienced sexual assault, you may:

• Have injuries anywhere on your body.
• Bleed or have pain.
• Have fluid coming from your vagina, anus, or mouth.
• Be at risk for unwanted pregnancy.
• Have emotional or mental health symptoms, such as:
  • Feeling helpless.
  • Being more angry or irritable.
  • Being worried or anxious.
  • Being sad.
  • Having guilt or shame.
  • Feeling detached or numb.
  • Shock, disbelief, or confusion about what to do.

What should I do if I'm sexually assaulted?

• Call 911 right away if you feel you're in danger of assault.
• Contact a trusted friend or family member for support.
• Seek medical care to check for injuries and get treatment.
  • It's important to get tested for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  • Have a forensic exam done, also called a "rape kit," to collect evidence from the assault.
    • It's your choice to have the exam. You can accept or refuse any part of the exam.
    • You have the right to have an advocate and one other support person with you during the exam.
    • The best evidence is collected as soon as possible after the assault. If you decide to have evidence collected, try not to clean up, change clothes, or brush your teeth, even if you want to.
    • You can have the exam without talking to the police. If you don't want to make a report, an advocate can help you tell the hospital staff your wishes. If you're a minor, the person doing the exam might have to report it to the police.
• Call or visit your local police station to make a report or contact campus police if you're on a college campus.
  • Reporting the assault doesn't mean you have to have it investigated.
  • See RAINN's website for more information about making a report at rainn.org
• Find an advocate to help you make decisions and plan next steps. You can find local resources at RAINN's sexual assault center finder at centers.rainn.org/.
• Learn about your legal options. Every state has different laws about sexual assault. You can find more information about the laws in your state on RAINN's website at rainn.org.

What happens during the exam after a sexual assault?

• Asking you questions about what happened.
• Checking for injuries and pain.
• Collecting samples to test for STIs.
• Collecting samples from your body for evidence. Samples may include:
  • Clothing, blood, urine, or hair.
  • Material or debris that's found on or in your body.
  • Swabs from your skin where you might have been touched.
• Taking photographs.

What treatment will I have after a sexual assault?

• Medicine to prevent pregnancy.
• Medicine to treat or prevent STIs, including HIV. You might do follow-up tests for STIs over the next 3–6 months after the assault.
• Vaccines, such as the hepatitis B and HPV vaccines. You may have to get these shots repeated over a few months.

Tips and recommendations

• Talk to a counselor, therapist, or sexual assault advocate. You may also join a support group.
• Practice self-care to help you heal, whether the assault happened recently or a long time ago. For example:
  • Be kind and patient with yourself. You will heal, but healing takes time.
  • Avoid self-blame. It's not your fault that the assault occurred.
  • Reach out to people who support you. Talk or spend time with people who care about you. Ask for help if you need it.
  • Keep your body healthy by eating healthy meals and snacks.
  • Exercise and get extra rest. These can reduce stress and help regulate emotions.
• Take your medicines only as told.
• Keep all follow-up visits. You may need to get tests and vaccines to help prevent health problems from the assault.

Where to find more information

• National Sexual Assault Hotline:
  • Call 800-656-4673 (HOPE)
  • Visit hotline.rainn.org
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
  • Call 800-799-7233 (SAFE)
  • Text 88788
  • Visit thehotline.org
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center: www.nsvrc.org
• VictimConnect: Monday – Friday from 9:00am –5:00pm ET:
  • Call and text at 855-484-2846 (855-4-VICTIM)
  • Start an online chat at victimconnect.org
• Department of Defense Safe Helpline (hotline for members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault):
  • Visit safehelpline.org
  • For 24/7, live, confidential, one-on-one support:
    • Call 877-995-5247.
    • Start a secure chat, safehelpline.org

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have physical symptoms, such as:
  • Discharge from your penis or vagina.
  • An abnormal smell coming from your vagina.
  • A feeling of pressure or burning when you pee.
  • Sores or blisters in your genital area.
  • Abnormal pain during sex.
  • Increased heart rate, trouble breathing, sweating, or shaking when something reminds you of the assault.
• You have mental health symptoms, such as:
  • Irritability.
  • Trouble focusing.
  • Bad memories or flashbacks about the assault. This may feel like you're being assaulted again.
  • Nightmares.
  • Being less interested in everyday activities.
• You notice changes in how you act, such as:
  • Not connecting with others or not wanting to see friends or family.
  • Changes in how you normally eat or sleep.

Get help right away if:

• You feel like you're in immediate danger.
• You feel like you may hurt yourself or others.
• You have thoughts about taking your own life.
• You have other thoughts or feelings that worry you.

• Go to your nearest emergency room.
• Call 911.
• Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (free and confidential):
  • Call 1-800-273-8255 or 988.
  • Text 741741.
• If you're a Veteran:
  • Call 988 and press 1.
  • Text the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255.