What Is Sexual Assault and Rape?
Sexual assault or rape means any sexual contact or penetration without your agreement. This can include oral, anal, or vaginal penetration done by force, threats, or coercion. It also covers unwanted touching, grabbing, kissing, or being shown private parts.
If you are under 18 years old, any sexual contact is considered rape, even if you say yes.
What Can Happen After Sexual Assault?
You might have:
- Injuries to private or other body parts (these can be minor or more serious)
- Bruises, cuts, or swelling
- Emotional effects such as fear, nightmares, anger, embarrassment, or guilt
- Long-lasting mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that cause flashbacks, trouble sleeping, or feeling anxious
- Risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV
- Risk of pregnancy
What To Do Immediately After the Assault
- Avoid washing, showering, changing clothes, brushing teeth, or using mouthwash if possible. This helps preserve important evidence.
- Keep the clothes you wore during the assault safe.
- Go to a health facility as soon as you can for care and support.
Medical Care and Testing
At the health facility, the following will happen:
- A trained healthcare worker will treat any injuries and check your overall health with kindness and respect.
- Tests will be done for pregnancy, HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis to understand your health status.
- If needed, tests for “date rape drugs” like flunitrazepam may be done.
- For your protection, antibiotics will be given to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including:
- Ceftriaxone (an injection) or cefixime (a tablet) for gonorrhoea
- Azithromycin or doxycycline tablets for chlamydia
- Metronidazole tablets for infections like trichomoniasis
- If you are at risk of HIV infection and the assault happened within 72 hours, you may be given HIV prevention medicines called Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for 28 days. The exact medicines depend on your age and other factors.
- You will be offered emergency contraception if the assault happened within 5 days, which helps prevent pregnancy. The medicine used may be adjusted if you are living with HIV and on treatment.
Forensic Evidence Collection
- With your consent, health workers may collect evidence such as clothing, hair, fluids, and swabs.
- This evidence can be important if you decide to report the assault to the police or take legal action.
Emotional Support and Follow-Up
- The healthcare team will provide counselling to help with strong feelings like anxiety or guilt.
- You will be offered follow-up visits to check your health and emotional well-being.
- Referrals may be made to long-term psychological support, legal advice, police services, child protection, shelters, or social support programmes.
Important Things to Remember
- Sexual assault is not your fault.
- Early medical care improves your chances of staying healthy and safe.
- Help is available, and you do not have to face this alone.
- Always seek care from trusted health workers or support groups.
