Emergency Information – 72 Hours After Sexual Assault

Was What Happened to Me Sexual Assault?

The term “sexual assault” refers to any sexual act that occurs without free and willing consent. This includes:

• Kissing, hugging, or touching of private areas (genitals or chest)
• Unwanted rubbing or pressing against someone
• Indecent exposure
• Forced masturbation
• Any form of coerced sexual activity

Situations that fall under the definition of sexual assault include:

• Being in a sexual situation you did not want to be in
• Initially consenting but later wanting to stop, yet the other person did not respect your decision
• Being forced to perform sexual acts or having sexual acts performed on you without your consent or under threats
• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the extent that you could not function or give consent
• Being drugged or unconscious during the act
• Having someone take photos or videos of you, with or without your knowledge, and distribute them against your will

Sometimes, it is very clear that a sexual assault occurred, but in other cases, it may take time to fully process and understand what happened.

The perpetrator can be a stranger, but in most cases, they are someone familiar—either closely or distantly. Sometimes, there is more than one perpetrator. Assaults can occur anywhere: in public spaces, workplaces, schools, social settings, family homes, or even your own home.

---

What If I Don’t Remember Everything or Am Not Sure What Happened?

Having an unclear or partial memory of an assault is a well-known and common response. This is the mind’s way of protecting itself during traumatic events. Over time, memories may resurface, sometimes with professional help, but in some cases, the memory remains fragmented.

Even if you are unsure about what happened or suspect that you were assaulted, you can seek help.

---

If the Assault Happened Within the Last Week, Here Are Some Important Things to Know:

Medical Care

You can receive medical care at Sexual Assault Crisis Centers in hospitals (also known as acute care rooms). These facilities provide:

• Treatment for injuries and wounds
• Medications to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, if needed
• Evidence collection for potential future reporting (there is no requirement to file a police report at the time of treatment)

More information about acute care rooms, their locations, and how to access them can be found [here].

Emotional Support

Sexual assault often triggers intense feelings of guilt and shame, leading many survivors to keep their experiences secret.

We want you to know: we are here for you.

Our trained volunteers are available to listen without judgment or blame. You can speak with us anonymously, and we will support you in a way that respects your needs and choices—without any obligation on your part.

Here you can read more about our support services

Of course, you can also confide in someone you trust, such as a friend, family member, educator, or mental health professional.

Regardless of whom you turn to, experience shows that receiving support can be crucial in coping with the aftermath of an assault.

---

Evidence Collection

In the confusion following an assault, thinking about the future may be difficult, and reporting the assault may feel unimaginable. However, even if you are unsure whether you will report the assault, it is recommended to preserve evidence in case you later decide to do so.

What should you keep?

• Clothing or other items that may contain DNA evidence (such as semen, hair, skin cells, or fingerprints)
• Documentation of conversations (texts, messages, voice recordings) before and after the assault
• Records of reaching out for help—whether to a friend, family member, or professional support service

To collect evidence from your body (such as injuries, DNA samples, etc.), you can visit an acute care room within one week of the assault.

---

Filing a Police Report

One of the decisions you may face after an assault is whether to file a police report, which could lead to an investigation against the perpetrator.

Filing a report can be emotionally and practically challenging, so it is important that this decision remains entirely yours, without pressure from those around you.

Even if you decide to report the assault, it is okay to take your time to gather the strength to move forward with the legal process.

It is important to know that you are not obligated to report an assault immediately after it happens. There are advantages to reporting early, such as stopping the perpetrator if there is concern they may harm others, as well as preserving stronger forensic evidence. However, many survivors need time to process their trauma and regain strength before engaging in the legal process.

Sexual Assault Crisis Centers offer accompaniment and support from the moment you start considering filing a report, through the actual filing, and throughout legal proceedings.

---

What Now? What Are the Long-Term Effects of Sexual Assault?

Like any traumatic event, sexual assault affects each person differently. It is impossible to predict how the body and mind will react, and survivors often have no control over these responses.

In the weeks and months following an assault, post-traumatic symptoms may appear, such as:

• Difficulty remembering details of the event
• Trouble sleeping
• Wanting to withdraw or isolate
• Discomfort around certain people, places, or objects that trigger memories of the assault
• Negative body image, low self-esteem, or loss of confidence

These symptoms may appear—but they may not. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to react to trauma.

It is important to know that trauma does not simply disappear on its own, and post-traumatic symptoms can surface long after the assault. Just as physical wounds require care, sexual trauma is a psychological wound that can—and should—be treated.

---

We Are Here for You – in Whatever Way Feels Right for You.