What does this mean? This means that, depending on whom you believe, between 1 in 4 and 1 in 7 women are raped or sexually assaulted annually in the United States. However you look at it the statistics are frightening.
Sexual assault is the most rapidly growing violent crime in the US, with less than 50% of rapes reported. Eighty percent of rapes are committed by someone who knows the victim, and 61% of female victims are under 18 years old. Although the majority involve male perpetrators and female victims, 5% of reported rapes happen to male victims.
If you are raped, your first instinct might be to take a shower or bath to wash away what has happened to you. However, taking a shower or bath could wash away physical evidence which could be used for prosecution. It is extremely important, whether you think you have any physical or emotional injuries or not, that you see a medical professional as soon as possible.
Call a friend, family member, or rape crisis counselor to accompany you to the hospital if you don't feel comfortable going to the hospital alone. Remember, it is OK to ask for help.
The hospital examination includes looking for signs of physical and emotional trauma, as well as collecting evidence for prosecution should you decide to file criminal or civil charges. You can refuse to be examined for evidence if you are completely sure that you don't want to prosecute. Many hospitals have special programs to assure that rape victims receive the support and information necessary to make the best decisions regarding the health services they accept.
The examination includes a verbal history of the rape or sexual assault. You may find it difficult to recount the event but these details provide important information that alerts the health care professional about where physical injuries and/or bruises, that may otherwise go unnoticed, may be hiding. Pictures are taken for use as evidence. If bruises or other injuries appear later it is important that you contact your examiner so that they can be added to your record.
A pelvic exam is done to detect the presence of semen, as well as any injury, however it is possible to be raped without any semen being present. Your pubic hair will be combed to look for the presence of your assailant's pubic hair. The physical evidence collected during your exam is available to the police only with your written permission. It's a good idea for you and a friend or counselor to examine the record of your rape exam within 24 hours to assure its accuracy.
Emergency contraception is available if you feel that pregnancy is possible as a result of your rape. Emergency contraception works by preventing pregnancy within a few hours or days of unprotected sex. Methods used for emergency contraception include combined oral contraceptives, progestin only pills, and insertion of an IUD.
Two shots of antibiotic, in the buttocks, are given as a preventative measure against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You do not have to accept these shots, however be aware that some STDs may not show up for several weeks. The Center for Disease Control recommends that victims of sexual assault be reevaluated for STDs and HIV at 2, 6, 12, and 24 week intervals.
