What to do if…
you have just been sexually assaulted and are now somewhere safe

What to do now

1. Stay where the person who assaulted you cannot reach you. Lock the door if appropriate, avoid sharing your location with them, and call 911 if danger returns or you need emergency medical help.
2. Contact one trusted person and ask them to come to you, remain on the phone, arrange safe transportation, or accompany you for medical care.
3. Contact RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline for confidential support and help locating a nearby sexual assault service provider, hospital, or clinic.
4. Seek medical care as soon as you can. Tell the hospital or clinic that you were sexually assaulted and ask whether a sexual assault nurse examiner or another specially trained examiner is available.
5. Tell the clinician about any pain, bleeding, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, possible strangulation, head injury, memory gaps, possible drugging, pregnancy concerns, STI concerns, medications, and allergies.
6. Ask about care for injuries, STI testing or preventive treatment, emergency contraception where relevant, and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. HIV PEP must be started within 72 hours when it is medically appropriate, and starting sooner is better.
7. If you may want a forensic examination and it will not delay care, try to avoid washing or changing clothes, but seek care even if you have already done either.
8. You do not have to decide whether to report the assault before receiving medical care. Ask the advocate or examiner what options are available if you are considering a forensic examination but are undecided about reporting.
9. During an examination, ask staff to explain each part before it happens. You can request a pause, decline a part of the examination, or withdraw consent at any point.
10. Ask the hotline, advocate, or clinician to explain confidentiality limits and any reporting duties that may apply in your state, especially if you are under 18 or may be covered by a vulnerable-adult reporting law.