- Move to a safe environment and seek support from someone you trust.
- Sexual assault is never your fault. It is an act of aggression and the attacker is always at fault.
- Seek medical help for first aid and to rule out pregnancy, STD and other infections.
- Do not brush your teeth, use the toilet, wash or bathe after the assault until medico legal evidence is taken.
- Put the clothes you were wearing in an airtight plastic bag without cleaning them, so that evidence is not lost.
- Reach out for help immediately if someone threatens or blackmails you.
- Always remember you have no reason to be feeling frightened, guilty or ashamed. It is not your fault. You have a beautiful life ahead of you. Live well. It is the best gift you can give yourself.
- Seek counseling against trauma.
YOUR RIGHTS POST SEXUAL ASSAULT
- You have the right to free legal aid.
- You can file a complaint at any police station.
- You are entitled to a copy of the medical report.
- You can ask for a lady police officer.
- There is no time frame within which you have to file a sexual assault case, however we would advise you to report the assault at the earliest, as it is easier to collect the evidence.
- If the assault happened when you are an adult,
nobody can force you to file a complaint if you do not want to. - You can record the statement, privately, in front of a magistrate.
- You have the right to privacy so that your name, photo, address is not revealed to the public.