Your health
Pregnancy
One of the very distressing things about a rape is that, if you are a woman, it might result in pregnancy.
The doctor who examines you after your assault will talk to you about your fears and if wanted and appropriate will offer you what is known as the 'morning-after pill' and any other appropriate medical information or treatment.
If your period is late, it is best to have a pregnancy test. Stress, tension and worry can cause you to have a late period, and this does happen sometimes to women who have been raped, but it is best to seek medical help anyway.
Your Solace Officer will help you to arrange this if you want them to.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
For both men and women the possibility of sexually transmitted infections can be a worry if you have been assaulted.
It is important for you to receive appropriate advice and treatment at the right time after an assault. The doctor will help you decide when is the right time and advise where it is best to go.
The Solace officer supporting you will help you arrange an appointment with a special clinic and accompany you if you wish.
How the attack might make you feel
We all have our own feelings about everything that happens in our lives.
A sexual assault might change the way you feel for along time.
You might feel frightened, ashamed or angry. You may have nightmares or not be able to sleep. You may not want to eat. You may go from good moods to bad moods in a minute. You might suddenly want to cry or get angry with people. You may feel guilty or that you are not worthwhile. You might find it hard to make your mind up about things. And you might find that you cannot stand anyone touching you, even if you love them.
You are not alone in feeling like this.
A shocking experience can upset anyone in this way. It is not your fault that someone attacked you. And you don't have to cope with it on your own.
You can talk privately to a support worker who has helped other people deal with the same kind of feelings. They can offer you a safe place where you can talk about any worries and fears you might have.
People who are close to you might also need some help. They might need to speak to a support worker to help them cope with the stress, and to give them the strength to support and comfort you.