What To Do If You’ve Just Been Sexually Assaulted

• Go to a safe place.
• Call SVC (612-871-5111) or your local rape crisis center, or a friend or family member to find someone you trust who can support you.
• Decide if you want to make a police report. If there’s even a chance that you might want to report, preserve all evidence. Do not shower, brush teeth, bathe, douche, or straighten up the area until the medical and legal evidence has been collected. If you choose to change clothes, place the clothes you were wearing in a paper bag (to preserve evidence) and bring it with you to the hospital or law enforcement agency.
• If you choose to report, call the police (911) and go the hospital to have medical evidence collected. It is best to have the medical exam within 72 hours of the assault. Remember, an SVC advocate can meet you at the hospital or law enforcement agency to provide support and offer resources.
• Go to a hospital or clinic even if you decide not to report. You may feel OK, but it’s still a good idea to talk with a medical care provider about tests for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections/diseases, and support services. 
• If you think you were drugged, tell the nurse so they can collect the proper samples.  If possible, don’t urinate before seeking medical attention.  Some “date rape” drugs that facilitate sexual assault disappear from the body after just 8 hours, so seeking medical attention promptly is essential.
• If you choose to make a police report, call 911 as soon as possible. The police will be more likely to collect important evidence.  However, it’s never too late to report an assault or seek help from other agencies.
• Some communities have specially trained officers who assist victims of sexual assault. Call SVC at 612-871-5111 or your local rape crisis center for information. Your local advocates are likely to know how police in their community respond.
• Some people are intimidated at the thought of going to a police station. If you want to give your report at SVC, you can have an officer take your report at our office in either Minneapolis or Chaska.
• Remember, it’s not your fault. No one deserves to be sexually assaulted.