Mối quan tâm đầu tiên của chúng tôi là sức khỏe thể chất và tinh thần của bạn.
- Đưa bản thân đến một nơi “an toàn”, nơi bạn sẽ không cảm thấy gặp nguy hiểm nữa. Gọi 911 nếu bạn vẫn đang trong tình trạng nguy hiểm sắp xảy ra hoặc cần được chăm sóc y tế ngay lập tức và khẩn cấp.
- Consider seeking medical help, ideally within 5 days. Whether you choose to report your assault or not, you can go to the hospital emergency department within five days of the assault to be checked out physically; the most important thing is to get some assurance from a doctor that you are physically well. (Bấm vào đây for a map of hospitals in King County that provide Sexual Assault Forensic Exams.) When someone is sexually assaulted, the first instinct is to bathe/shower to wash away all memories of the rape. It is best for the sake of evidence collection to avoid bathing until after a forensic medical exam at your local hospital emergency room. If you have already bathed, there may still be evidence in your clothes that can be preserved.
- Consider reporting to law enforcement. For adults, reporting to the police is an individual choice. You can report right away, or it can be done later. Any evidence taken during a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam will be preserved, and you don’t have to decide right then and there whether to report. Our Resource Line advocates can walk you through your immediate options and help you decide.
- Remember, you are not alone, and an experienced, supportive advocate is here to help 24/7. Everyone handles personal crisis differently. A sexual assault threatens a person’s physical as well as emotional safety. Sexual assault is a personal attack like no other. KCSARC’s Resource Line advocate can talk you through what you can expect from a medical exam or the initial police report. They can also connect you with follow- up services, like counseling or legal advocacy.