Prohibited Sexual Behavior and Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence: Rape: Female Victims: Helping the Victims

Sexual Assault Awareness A small green ribbon, desgined to be worn on dresses and jacket lapels, is now often used to express support for the victims of sexual assault.

Once a rape has occurred, everything possible should be done to arrest the rapist and bring him to justice. In most cases, this requires the assistance of the victim. However, she is usually quite distraught and needs help in dealing with her experience. Therefore, it is essential that police and medical consultants co-operate closely in obtaining the necessary evidence without traumatizing the victim any further. In many countries this co-operation has been greatly improved in recent years. At the same time, police officers and doctors have become more sensitive to the needs of rape victims.

In any case, immediately after a rape the victim should try to

• reach a safe place, away from the attacker (her own home, a friend’s home, a hospital emergency room, a police station)
• seek medical help. She should not change her clothing or wash herself. Doctors or nurses can then use a rape test kit to secure and preserve the evidence. At that time, possible injuries can also be diagnosed and treated.
• report the crime to the police and give them detailed information about the attack. This will help them to apprehend the rapist.

Once these immediate steps have been taken, rape victims should seek counseling (per telephone, in person with a rape counselor, or in group sessions). The psychological trauma can be severe and long-lasting. A victim should not try to deal with it alone.