Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, or Rape

Home Treatment

If you feel threatened, you must have a plan for dealing with a threatening situation. If a family member or someone else has threatened to harm you or your child, seek help:

• If you need immediate help, call911.
• The National Clearinghouse on Family Violence can help you find resources in your area. Call toll-free: 1-800-267-1291.
• Tell someone: the police, a trusted friend, a spiritual advisor, or a health professional. If the incident occurred at work, contact your human resources department for help.
• Find local resources that can help in a crisis. Your local YMCA, police department, mental health clinic, or hospital has information on shelters and safe homes.
• Be alert to warning signs, such as threats or drunkenness, so that you can avoid a dangerous situation. If you cannot predict when violence may occur, have an exit plan for use in an emergency.
• If you have been raped:
  • Call the police immediately.
  • Remember the rape was not the your fault.
  • Find a safe environment—anywhere away from the attacker.
  • Preserve evidence of the attack—do not change clothes, eat, drink, smoke, bathe, brush teeth, or clean up in any way. Write down all the details about the attack and the attacker.
  • 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, ask the hospital to do a rape kit examination. If you think you 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 you through the process.
• If a child tells you he or she has been abused, stay calm. Tell the child that you believe him or her and that you will do your best to keep him or her safe. Report the abuse to the local police or child protective services agency.

If you are no longer living with a violent person, contact the police to obtain a restraining order if your abuser continues to pursue you and act violently toward you.

If you know someone who may be a victim of violent behaviour

Here are some things you can do to help a friend or family member.

• Let your friend know you are willing to listen whenever she or he wants to talk. Don't confront your friend if she or he is not ready to talk. Encourage your friend to talk with her or his health professional, human resources manager, and supervisor to see what resources might be available.
• Tell your friend that the abuse is not her or his fault and that no one deserves to be abused. Remind your friend that violence is against the law and that help is available. Be understanding if she or he is unable to leave. She or he knows the situation best and when it is safest to leave.
• If your friend has children, gently point out that you are concerned that the violence is affecting them. Many people do not understand that their children are being harmed until someone else talks about this concern.
• Encourage and help your friend develop a safety plan. This plan will help keep your friend and her or his children safe during a violent incident, when preparing to leave, and after leaving.

The most important step is to help your friend contact local domestic violence groups. There are programs across the country that provide options for safety, legal support, support, and needed information and services. To find the nearest program contact the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence toll-free at 1-800-267-1291, or visit the Web site at www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence.

The most dangerous time for your friend may be when she or he is leaving the abusive relationship, so any advice about leaving must be informed and practical.

If you have been a victim of abuse and continue to have problems related to the abuse, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For more information, see the topic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

If violence occurs again, use the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see your doctor.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: April 24, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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