Recent Sexual Assault could be defined as a sexual assault that happened within the last year. Know that this is not your fault. It doesn’t matter what you wore, what you did, what you didn’t do, who you were with, who you weren’t with or whether or not you drank alcohol or consumed drugs. You are not to blame.
Why is it important to get support/counseling?
There is no right or wrong way to react to sexual violence. A victim/survivor may wonder if she should or should not be feeling a certain way, how long she should feel it for or whether she should “be over it by now.” A counselor can help a woman understand that she is not alone, that whatever she feels is good and right for her; and that each woman responds in her own way. A counselor can also provide information about a victim/survivor’s rights and options after the assault.
Counseling
- If you decide to call a Rape Crisis Centre you can expect to get:
- Support from a counsellor on the 24-hour Crisis-Line
- Crisis appointment with a counsellor
- Accompaniment to the Civic Hospital
- Accompaniment to Police Services
Medical Services
We encourage women to seek medical attention after an assault. There is a possibility that there may be internal injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection and/or unwanted pregnancy resulting from the assault. Doctors can administer antibiotics to prevent venereal disease and the “morning-after pill” to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Medical attention is also useful if the woman wants to report the assault to the police. If she chooses to have evidence collected, special procedures are followed and must be done within 72 hours after the assault.
She should seek medical attention wherever she feels most comfortable (family doctor, walk-in clinic, or a hospital-based sexual assault treatment centre).
