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What to do if you are raped

Immediately after being raped, you may feel physical pain, shock, disgust, and fear. Some survivors feel numb or dazed and may be unable to talk about the rape, while others are openly upset and angry. In the days and weeks ahead, you may have nightmares and feel guilty, afraid ashamed, powerless, angry, depressed or unable to bear being touched.

Being able to talk to someone who understands is a huge step towards recovery. 
Even if your rape has been same time ago talking about it is always a step towards recovery .

* The Netcare Sexual Assault Centres offers free counselling to men, women and children immediately after a rape and for a year thereafter, irrespective of whether the rape survivor is medically insured or not. If necessary, anti-pregnancy medication and antiretroviral therapy are also offered.
Survivors of sexual assault (women, men and children) may present at a Netcare emergency department on their own, via ambulance, or accompanied by the SAPS.

** Open Arms SA is not affiliated with any of the centres. We are assisting in providing a list of centres available.

Find here Centre's that will be able to assist you on you road to recovery
- KwaZulu Natal

- Eastern Cape

- Free State

- Gauteng

- Limpopo

- Mpumalanga

- North West

- Northern Cape

- Western Cape

 

  1. GET TO A SAFE PLACE

    Do this as soon as possible.

  2. TELL SOMEONE

    It may be very difficult for you to tell someone what has happened to you, but it’s important because this person can support your story and back you up in court.

  3. DO NOT WASH YOURSELF

    There might be hair, blood or semen on your body or clothes that can be used as evidence of the rape.

  4. IF YOU ARE INJURED

    Go straight to a hospital, community health centre or doctor.

  5. REPORT THE RAPE

    If you want to report the rape, go to the police station nearest to where the attack took place as soon as you can. Ask a friend or family member to go with you for support. Keep the name of the police officer in charge of your case and your case number.

  1. IF YOU’RE AFRAID

    If you fear retribution or intimidation by the rapist/s, make sure the police are aware of this and ask that the rapist/s be not allowed out on bail.

  2. FORENSIC EXAMINATION

    A doctor will examine every part of your body to find and collect samples of hair, blood or semen. This is part of the police investigation to gather medical evidence of the crime.

  3. GET SUPPORT

    Ask for pamphlets or booklets on rape and the number of a local counselling service to give you further support and advice about the police matter, court case and any other effects of the rape.

  4. GET TREATMENT

    Whether or not you want to lay a charge, make sure that within 72 hours you take:

    • The Morning After Pill (MAP) to prevent pregnancy;
    • An HIV test and antiretroviral treatment to prevent HIV infection;
    • Antibiotics to prevent a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).

Text from http://rapecrisis.org.za