What can I do if I have been raped

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Every woman’s experience with rape is different. But there are a few things you need to do to help yourself recover.

First, ask yourself these questions:

• Who can you ask for help?
• Do you want to tell the police about the rape?
• Where can you go for medical care?
• Do you want to try to punish the rapist?

You need someone to talk to when you feel sad, hurt, scared, or angry, to go with you for medical care, and to help you figure out what to do. Choose someone who cares about you, who you trust will not tell others, and who is strong and dependable. Sometimes a woman’s husband or parents are too upset themselves to be able to give much support.

Do not blame yourself. You did not deserve to be raped. There was nothing you did that made it right for a man to force sex on you.

Sources

• Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
• Audiopedia ID: en020313