Sexual Assault Treatment
Help After a Sexual Assault
Sexual assault can happen to anyone — male or female, of any age. Sexual assault is any sexual contact or behavior that happens without your consent. It is not limited to rape. It can include unwanted sexual touching or forcing you to perform oral sex or other sexual acts. The perpetrator does not have to be a stranger — it can be someone you know — even a relative, friend, intimate partner or spouse.
If It Happens to You, Remember:
You are not alone. It’s never your fault. Sexual assault and sexual abuse are never caused by what you wear, what you do or what you say.
If you’ve experienced a sexual assault, it’s important to consider these steps:
- As soon as you can, go to a safe place.
- Tell someone you trust that you need help.
- Get medical care for injuries or any risks to your health, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, or pregnancy concerns.
- Think about reporting the assault. If you will report it, save all the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault. Also, try not to rinse your mouth, bathe, wash or shower.
- Get professional help to cope with the emotions you are experiencing.
- Advocates are available for ongoing support.
Medical Help for Sexual Assault
Anyone who has experienced a sexual assault can use the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (SANE) regardless of your gender or ability to pay. Providers can assess and treat medical issues for any age patient and will refer children for expert pediatric sexual assault care. This program includes a nurse with special training in helping adolescent and adult survivors of sexual assault, as well as a team of trained caregivers. They will treat you with compassion and sensitivity to your needs and situation.
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program provides:
- Medical assessment and treatment
- Emotional support
- Medical/legal evidence collection using a forensic kit (when seen within 120 hours of the assault)
- Pregnancy risk assessment, if appropriate
- Emergency contraception and STD prophylaxis
- Information about reporting the crime to police:
- If you’re an adult, you can choose to report or not report the sexual assault to law enforcement. No matter what you decide, SANE nurses and advocates will strongly support your decision.
- Reporting an assault is mandatory if the victim is younger than 18
- Help with Crime Victim's Compensation
- Education and resource information