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Listen
What to think about immediately
Rape and sexual assault can be shocking and traumatic. It is important to look after yourself at this time. You may feel that the last thing you want to do is go to different places (such as health clinics and other services) or make difficult decisions but you may have to do so. You do not have to do everything at once.
As soon as possible
If you have any physical symptoms after the assault get medical help. You don't have to tell the doctor about the assault if you don't want to ( see here). However, the doctor will be able to advise you better if they know what happened.
If you think or are worried that your attacker might be in a high-risk group for Hepatitis B or HIV ( see here for details), go to your GP or Genito Urinary Medicine ( GUM) or other clinic ( see here).
Women: if there is a risk of unwanted pregnancy take emergency contraception ( see here).
If you think you may have been drugged or had your drink 'spiked', tell the police at once. The police will then arrange for your blood and urine to be tested. The sooner samples are taken, the better the chance of drugs or alcohol showing up. If you need to pass urine, collect a sample and give it to the police.
If you want to report the assault, contact the police so that a forensic examination can be arranged to get as much evidence as possible. Do not wash, eat or drink. If you change your clothes, put the clothes you have removed into a bag and give to the police ( see here).
You might not feel like reporting now, but you might do later on. So, keep the clothes you were wearing, don't wash them and put them in a plastic bag.
If you want to wash yourself, use safe products only. Don't use household cleaning products as they can be harmful.
Within two weeks
Go to your GP or Genito Urinary Medicine ( GUM) or other clinic for testing for sexually transmitted infection ( see here).
Women: do a pregnancy test ( see here).
At any time
Ask for help. You can phone any of the agencies in section 4. They have helped many people in your situation and you can speak to them in private.
Do what you can to feel safe ( see here).
Write down anything you can remember about what happened: what your attacker said to you, where it happened, whether there was a car involved, if there was anyone else around who might have seen or heard anything. These details may be useful if you report the assault.
If you want to report to the police, you can do so at any time ( see here).
If you believe you are in immediate danger of assault dial 999.
You are not alone and there are people who want to help you.
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