No matter how it happened, nothing you did caused someone else to rape or sexually assault you.  Do not be afraid of telling people for fear of being blamed. It was not your fault. Your body belongs to you and only you.  Rape and sexual assault can happen to anyone, anywhere. Men are victims, too.  You never asked for it, no matter what you were wearing, and you're not alone.  Being forced into sex or being sexually assaulted by someone you are on a date with is still acquaintance or date rape. It doesn't matter if you know them and are dating them. You can be in a regular relationship with someone and still be forced into having sex against your will, even if it's not a violent act. More than half of all rapes are by someone you know.  Drinking alcohol or taking drugs is not an excuse for someone to rape you. Intoxication loosens inhibitions and can increase violent tendencies. Drugs and alcohol can also decrease your ability to get help. Regardless of who was drinking or taking the drugs, there is still no excuse for sexual assault.  If you are a male and you had an erection during the assault, do not be ashamed or feel guilty as if you enjoyed it. An erection is simply a natural physical reaction to stimulation even if you didn't want it and didn't enjoy it. You were not asking for it. If you are in immediate danger or are seriously injured, call emergency services. Your safety is the first priority. In North America, call 911. You naturally will feel the need to get any trace of the perpetrator off of you but it is important that you wait.  Any bodily fluids or traces of hair left on you from your assailant can be used later as evidence, if you decide to press charges. Washing your face, body, or clothes can remove vital evidence. Go to the hospital and inform the staff you have been assaulted and tell them if the assault included vaginal or anal penetration.  If you permit them, specially trained staff will conduct a “forensic exam” and use a “rape kit” to collect hair and fluid samples for forensic evidence. Their training ensures that they are sensitive to your feelings and needs in this terrible time and they try to make the process as bearable as possible.  You might need to be tested and/or treated for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. Treatment might include emergency contraception and prophylactic medication to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If you suspect a date rape drug was used, try not to urinate until you get to the hospital, as they will request a urine sample to test for Rohypnol and other date rape drugs. In the US, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online and their specifically trained staff can guide you on where to go and what to do. In Canada, call the hotline for your province found here. Many sexual assault centres provide trained staff to accompany you to a hospital or medical appointment so you don't have to go alone. Informing police can bring your perpetrator to justice and prevent him or her from harming anyone else.  If you suspect you were drugged, save any cups or bottles that you drank out of, if possible. Drug testing may be conducted to confirm use of the drug and provide evidence that can be used later. The most common date rape drug is not Rohypnol – it's alcohol. Tell the police if alcohol or drugs were involved. Even if you willingly drank alcohol or took drugs before you were assaulted, it is never your fault.  Informing police also has the psychological advantage of helping you transition from victim to survivor. Even if the rape occurred more than 72 hours ago, it is still important for you to contact the police, a help line, and a medical professional. Evidence of bodily fluids is best collected within the first 72 hours of the assault. Even if you are not sure you are going to press charges, get the evidence collected so it is there if you need it. You have gone through an event that will likely cause shock, depression, anxiety, fear and hypervigilance, and nightmares. This is normal and it will get better.  Survivors also feel guilt and shame, suffer disturbed eating and sleeping patterns, and have trouble focusing. The trauma that rape and sexual assault survivors experience is a specific kind of post-traumatic stress disorder. You might be suffering pain, cuts, bruising, internal injuries, or irritation from the assault. These are painful reminders but they will pass.  Take it easy physically for a while, until the pain and bruises heal.  Try having a hot bath, meditating, or other stress relaxation techniques that work for you.
اعلمي أنه لم يكن خطأك. اطلبي المساعدة في حالات الطوارئ. لا تستحمي ولا تغتسلي أو تغيري ملابسك (لأغراض قانونية). احصلي على عناية طبية فورية. أخبري فريق العمل إن كنتِ تشتكين من أنه قد تم تخديرك أو الاعتداء عليكِ تحت تأثير الكحول. اتصلي بخط المساعدة. فكري في استدعاء الشرطة للإبلاغ عن الحادث. لا تترددي عن إبلاغ الشرطة حتى لو مرّ وقتًا على الحادثة. استجمعي قواكِ ولا تجزعي في أثناء تلك الصدمة المعنوية. تقبلي ما تعانينه من إصابات بدنية.