Family member or friend is victim of sexual abuse or assault
Sexual assault is any sexual act done against a person's will. It can include incest (sex with a close family member), or oral, vaginal (rape), or anal (sodomy) sexual acts.
Sexual abuse, such as any unwanted sexual touching or being forced look at or watch sexual pictures or acts, is not okay in any relationship. If your family member or friend was sexually abused or assaulted or was injured, call a doctor and the police immediately.
If your family member or friend has been forced to have sex against his or her will, don't keep the secret. Help him or her to tell someone who can make a difference—a teacher, counsellor, or doctor. No one deserves to be abused.
If your family member or friend is an abuse or assault victim:
- Call the police immediately.
- Remember the assault was not the victim's fault.
- Find a safe environment for him or her—anywhere away from the attacker. Stay with him or her for support.
- Preserve evidence of the attack—do not let him or her change clothes, eat, drink, smoke, bathe, brush teeth, or clean up in any way. Have him or her write down all the details about the attack and the attacker.
- Help him or her get medical attention. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. To preserve evidence, the doctor may do a special examination (called a forensic medical examination). If your family member thinks he or she may have been drugged, ask that a urine sample be taken.
- Call the local or national rape crisis hotline for support, information, and advice. A counsellor can help your family member or friend through the process.
If your family member or friend was a victim of sexual abuse, he or she can call the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence. Call for a referral to services offered in your area: 1-800-267-1291 or (613) 957-2938.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: March 31, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Brigid McCaw, MD, MS, MPH, FACP - Family Violence Prevention Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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