If you have been sexually assaulted

• Get to a safe place.
• Contact someone to help you—a friend, family member, the police or a rape crisis center.
• Do not shower, bathe, douche, wash your hands, eat, drink, brush your teeth or use the toilet. Doing so could destroy physical evidence that the police can use if you decide to report the assault.
• Do not change or destroy any of the clothing you are wearing.
• Do not straighten up or move anything at the scene. As hard as it may be not to clean up, the police will need to examine the scene for evidence if you report the crime.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you decide not to pursue prosecution, you may have injuries that you are unaware of. Medical personnel at hospital emergency room can tell you about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Physical evidence collected within 72 hours after an assault is ideal for prosecution.