The sexual assault prosecution process is difficult by any means. If you are assaulted, you can increase the chances that your offender will be brought to justice by taking the following actions quickly.

• Get to a safe place.
• Do not remove anything from the scene of the attack.
• Call a friend or someone who can help immediately!
• Do not shower, bathe, wash your hands, brush your teeth, comb your hair, or use the toilet. Even though you may desperately want to clean yourself, doing so may destroy important evidence.
• Notify a law enforcement agency as soon as possible!
• Go to the nearest hospital for an examination. Even if you do not want to report this to the police, you may have injuries you are not aware of that require medical attention.
• Take a change of clothing with you. If you choose to have medical personnel collect evidence, they may need to keep your clothes. You may also elect to give your undergarments to the police for semen analysis, along with any torn or stained clothing.

• Have a medical exam and a gynecological exam.
• Inform the doctor of the exact acts committed upon you and have the doctor note any medical evidence of them.
• At the hospital or clinic, consent to having the collection kit completed. If you are hesitant to give your consent, think about the others this may help.
• Semen smears must be taken. The doctor should note any bruises or injuries, external or internal.

• Inform the police of all details of the attack, however intimate, and of anything unusual you may have noticed about the attacker.
• Show police any external bruises or injuries, however minor, resulting from the attack.

• Make note of events of the attack, unusual details, etc., for yourself in case of a trial. Write down everything you remember.
• Show the injuries to a friend or relative who might be available as a corroborative witness at the trial.
• Seek psychological support. Even though the actual incident is over, you may suffer from rape trauma syndrome. Contact rape counseling services in your area that can help you during this period of trauma.