What to Do if You've Been Sexually Assaulted - College of Nursing

What To Do If You've Been Sexually Assaulted

Call for Help - You don't have to do it alone!
If you are local to the Iowa City/Johnson County Area, call the Rape Crisis Line at
335-6000, 24 hours a day. By calling the Rape Crisis Line you will be connected with JCSART and we will provide support as you begin the healing and recovery process.

If you need immediate assistance and you are in the state of Iowa, USA, you can call
1-800-284-7821 to speak with an advocate at the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline.

If you are outside Iowa you can call 1-800-656-HOPE (RAINN - Rape Abuse Incest National Network) and you will be connected to a rape crisis center near you.

Remember that what has happened is not your fault! You did not cause this assault! You did not deserve it!

Seek Medical Attention As Soon As Possible
If you were assaulted recently, you may want to consider going to the hospital to have a sexual abuse evidentiary examination right away. This examination preserves evidence in case you decide to press charges. Chances of a successful prosecution are best when medical evidence is collected within 72 hours of the assault. Try not to shower or bathe, so that the greatest amount of evidence might be preserved. If you are still wearing the clothes you had on during the assault, it is best to wear them to the exam so that further evidence can be collected. Bring a change of clothing with you to wear home.

You are entitled to have an advocate from a sexual assault crisis center present with you to provide support during the exam.

The sexual assault evidence exam and follow-up treatment are paid for by the state of Iowa. You should not receive a bill.

Your medical exam is also a time when you can get medical advice and medication in case you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Even if you were assaulted some time ago, it is okay to go to the doctor in order to get checked out for STI's, pregnancy, etc. Some local clinics may provide free or reduced rates for people who have been sexually assaulted but choose not to have the evidentiary exam.

Seek Counseling
Rape is an attack on the spirit and the psyche as well as the body. Regardless of the circumstances of your assault, whether it happened today or years ago, a trauma that affects you on so many levels takes time to heal. You are healing from a traumatic and life-threatening crisis even if you don’t have cuts and bruises.

Adverse reactions do not need to be permanent. It helps to talk with someone who understands the impact of sexual abuse and the healing process. A rape crisis counselor or trained therapist can help you work through the experience and its aftermath in a confidential and secure environment.

A counselor can also assist you in your dealings with family and friends, who will have their own feelings and reactions about your assault. You may find their responses helpful and supportive, or you may find they have difficulty understanding.

You can recover from this experience.

Decide About Taking Legal Action
Many victims of sexual assault are afraid that they will be blamed or not believed if they report the assault to the police. In general, detectives who have training in working with sexual assault cases should understand the feelings you are experiencing and be sensitive to your needs and concerns.

If you want to report and are worried about what might happen, contact your local sexual assault crisis center for more information. In Johnson, Cedar, Iowa and Washington Counties, call the RVAP at 335-6000 or 1-800-284-7821. For a referral to your local center call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821 or follow this link: Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline Directory.

Sexual assault victim advocates have special training in working with law enforcement to help you. They can give you support and make sure your questions are answered.

In Johnson County, and in many other jurisdictions, you may be able to talk to a detective or police officer about what happened to you without having to make an immediate decision about whether or not you want to press charges. You may not have a choice about charges being filed in cases of domestic abuse or child abuse.

It is okay to talk with the police about an assault even if it happened some time ago.

Whether or not you want to report an assault to the police is your decision. You know what's best for you.