- Go to a safe place and call someone you trust for emotional
support. It's also a good idea to call your local rape crisis
center (in PA, call 1-888-772-PCAR).
- Don't shower. If you were just raped, you still have evidence (most that you can't see) on your clothes and body. To preserve evidence, don't change clothes, eat, drink, smoke, shower, comb your hair, urinate or douche before going to the emergency room. (If you do change clothes, put the clothes you were wearing in a paper bag, and if you do have to urinate, try to save the urine in a clean jar.)
- Get medical help. Go to the emergency room so a doctor can check you for injuries (including ones you can't see.) A doctor can prescribe medicine to prevent STI's (sexually transmitted infections) and medicine to prevent pregnancy. A nurse can also perform a rape exam to collect evidence in case you decide to press charges (If you were raped within the last week, it's still possible for a nurse to collect some evidence).
- If you want to, you can report the rape to the police. Even if you decide not to press charges, it's a good idea to tell the police. That way they can try to keep someone else from being raped.
- Rape and sexual assault are traumatic events, and victims often feel isolated and unsupported. It's important to talk about the rape with someone you can trust and someone who can help you. Counselors at your local rape crisis center offer free and confidential support, and you can talk to them as many times as you need, either by phone or in person. (In PA, call 1-888-772-PCAR .org for your local rape crisis center.) Counselors can also talk with your family members or friends.
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Area Crisis Centers
Pennsylvania Crisis Centers
Pennsylvania Crisis Centers
State Coalitions
National
Sexual Violence Resource Center - provides links to
other state and territory anti-sexual violence coalitions.