What Do I Do If I Have Been Sexually Assaulted?
If you are sexually assaulted:
- First and foremost, go to a safe place and if you can, call someone you trust
- If you feel you are still in danger or are injured, please call 9-1-1
- Call the Durham Rape Crisis Centre’s 24/7 Crisis and Support Line at 905-668-9200
- You have the right to seek medical care whether you decide to report the assault to the police or not
- If you decide to seek out a medical exam, do not consume any drugs or alcohol prior to the exam
- If you do decide to report the assault, do not wash, douche, brush your teeth, change clothes, go to the washroom, or clean up the area where the assault occurred as this could destroy potential evidence
- If you have already taken off your clothes, put them in a bag and bring them with you to the hospital
- If you have already done any of these things you CAN still report it!
Getting Medical Care/Evidence Collection
If you have been sexually assaulted, it is best to go to a hospital (sexual assault care centre) within 72 hours for the best results in evidence collection. Although it is very difficult to tell anyone what happened and you may not want to admit to yourself that you were assaulted, it’s important to get immediate medical care (such as prevention medication for sexually transmitted infections) and evidence collection, if you ever want to report to the police at a later date. Your visit and evidence will be kept strictly confidential unless you give permission for your medical records to be shared.
If you are in Durham, you can contact the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Care Centre at 905-576-8711 x 33286 or attend Lakeridge Health Oshawa and request DVSACC.
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions or call our 24/7 Crisis and Support Line at 905-668-9200.