If You Have Been a Victim of Sexual Assault
Click here for Haven Sexual Assault Support Services
Call Haven Sexual Assault 24-Hour Confidential Hotline: 1-603-994-7233
Guidelines for if you are a victim of Sexual Assault:
1. Go to a safe place and ask a friend to stay with you.
2. Get medical attention immediately. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) and pregnancy.
3. Notify the police immediately - Call 911. It is imortant to report the crime even if you ultimately decide not to "go forward" in the criminal justice system. Our first priority will always be the safety and comfort of the survivor.
4. Preserve evidence. If possible, don't bathe, shower, douche, change clothes, comb your hair, brush teeth, chew gum, or eat/drink anything. Do not clean up or alter the area of the crime in any way. Even if you have done these things, it doesn't mean we can't investigate; we just like to have the most and best evidence possible. Even if it's been days, weeks, months or years since the assault, we can manytimes build a case and prosecute.
5. Write down all the details you can recall about the incident. Please try to do this without talking to anyone else. Your first-hand memory is what we need and sometimes memories evolve based up others' input.
6. Ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam. This will help to preserve evidence if you choose to report the incident, now or later. It is possible to have evidence even without specific bodily fluids.
7. If you suspect you may have been drugged, ask that a urine sample be collected. The sample will need to be analyzed by a forensic lab.
8. Talk with a counselor who is trained to assist sexual assault survivors. Sexual Assault Support Services 1-888-747-7070.
PLEASE remember that it's not your fault.
- Recognize that healing from sexual violence takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
- Know that it's never too late to call. Even if the assault happened years ago, many victims do not realize they need help until months or years later: For support, contact RAINN - (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) at 1-800-656-HOPE or https://www.rainn.org/.