IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS RAPED...
Encourage the victim to seek
medical help immediately.
Any injuries resulting from the rape should be treated, as well as any sexually
transmitted diseases. Another reason to seek medical help is to preserve any
physical evidence that would be helpful in the prosecution of the case. Even
if the victim does not want to report the rape to law enforcement, it is probably
a good idea to have the rape kit performed. If the victim changes his/her
mind and wants to prosecute, this evidence cannot be collected at a later
time. The victim should not bathe, douche, or change clothes so that evidence
will not be destroyed.
Advise the victim to tell
his/her story soon.
It is necessary to remember specific details of the assault. While this is
very difficult, it is important so that law enforcement can do a thorough
investigation, which may lead to a successful prosecution. What may seem like
an unimportant detail may be important evidence at a later time.
Recommend the victim seek
professional help when he/she is ready.
A sexual assault is extremely traumatic, and many victims find that counseling
is beneficial. Support groups and individual counseling are available at little
or no cost to the victim. It is important to allow the victim to make his/her
own choices regarding what types of counseling would be best.
Be supportive.
It is crucial to be kind, compassionate, and nonjudgmental. Just being there
for a rape victim can play a vital role in his/her recovery. A rape victim
may be experiencing a variety of complex emotions including feelings of guilt,
self-blame, confusion, low self-esteem, and fear. It is important to communicate
to the victim that all of these responses to a sexual assault are natural.
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