What to Do If You Are Raped
Rape and sexual assault often leaves victims feeling scared, confused and alone. If you know someone who has been raped, the Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center suggests taking the following precautions:
- Find a safe place away from the perpetrator.
- Preserve all physical evidence of the assault. Do not bathe, shower or wash your hands, etc. until after
you’ve had a medical examination. - Report the crime to law enforcement immediately.
- Seek medical care as soon as possible.
- Recognize that healing from an attack takes time.
- Know that what happened was not your fault.
Two adults who willingly agree to engage in sexual activity with each other.
Rape: (varies from state to state) forced or nonconsensual sexual intercourse; may be accomplished by fear, threats of harm and/or actual physical force.
Sexual Assault: Includes various types of unwanted sexual touching or penetration, without consent.
For more information on what to do if you are raped, click here.
If you believe you need immediate assistance, please call your local emergency number or the mental health crisis hotline listed in your local phone book's government pages. Because DrPhil.com does not operate, supervise, or exercise any control over any of the therapists, resources or referral services listed, it makes no representations or warranty whatsoever, either expressed or implied, regarding any information or advice provided by these referral services. In no event shall it, Dr. Phil or the producers of the show be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on information provided by these therapists, resources or referral services.
Rape Abuse & Incest National Network 1 (800) 656-HOPE 1 (800) 656-(4673) http://www.rainn.org/
National Sexual Violence Resource Center http://www.nsvrc.org/ http://helpguide.org/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1 (800) 273-TALK 1 (800) 273-(8255) http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
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