Information for Survivors

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember:

It was not your fault.
You are not alone.
You deserve support.
You have rights.

Your rights include…

• To be treated with respect, dignity and courtesy.
• To file a police report and receive services regardless of your relationship to the assailant.
• To not be judged because of your race, age, class, gender, sexual orientation or occupation.
• To have a sexual assault advocate come with you to medical care, police and legal proceedings.
• To privacy when meeting with a counselor or police officer.
• To confidentiality when speaking with a counselor or advocate.
• To understand any forms you are asked to sign.
• To as questions and get answers about any tests, exams, medications or treatments.
• To be told about any necessary follow-up care and testing.
• To voice complaints and expect to have them heard.

Sexual assault is a painful and traumatic experience. After an assault, survivors may feel shame, guilt, anger, unable to trust others, confusion, depression, fear, and isolation. Healing takes time. Give yourself the time you need. And, know that it’s never too late to call for support. Even if the attack happened years ago. Many survivors do not realize they need help until months or even years later.

You may, or may not wish to seek medical or legal attention immediately. The choice is yours.

If you choose to seek medical attention:

In San Francisco, survivors can receive free medical attention by going to the Emergency Department at Zuckerburg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center at 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110. At the Emergency Department survivors are seen by nurses from the Trauma Recovery Center / Rape Treatment Center.

Five days is the maximum time period in which forensic evidence (including drug testing), and emergency contraception (morning-after pill) can be administered.

Three days is the maximum time period for medical HIV prevention treatment (commonly called “PEP”.)

STD screening and treatment can be offered at any time. If five days have passed since the assault, and you would like medical treatment call the Trauma Recovery Center / Rape Treatment Center at 415-437-3000.

During the medical exam, if you wish to pursue legal action, you may have forensic evidence collected, and choose to make a police report at this time.

The police department will process or hold evidence from a sexual assault exam.

The more time that passes between the assault and your choice to press charges, the less likely legal action will be taken against the perpetrator. In other words, the sooner you press charges, the stronger your case will be.

• Get to a safe place.
• Call your local Rape Crisis Hotline for support and information. In San Francisco call San Francisco Women Against Rape’s 24-hour hotline at 1 (415) 647-7273 (RAPE) for free, confidential support. Rape crisis advocates are available 24-hours/day and can help with crisis counseling and provide information about and referrals to medical, legal, shelter and other services. If you are not in San Francisco, but still would like support, please feel free to call the SFWAR hotline and we will provide a referral to the rape crisis center nearest you. If you have access to the internet, you can look up the rape crisis center nearest you by visiting the RAINN website.
• Seek Medical Attention. In San Francisco, you can receive free medical attention by going to the Emergency Department at Zuckerburg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center at 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110. At the Emergency Department survivors are seen by nurses from the Trauma Recovery Center / Rape Treatment Center. Five days is the maximum time period in which forensic evidence (including drug testing), and emergency contraception (morning-after pill) can be administered. Three days is the maximum time period for medical HIV prevention treatment (commonly called “PEP”.) STD screening and treatment can be offered at any time. If five days have passed since the assault, and you would like medical treatment call the Trauma Recovery Center / Rape Treatment Center at 1 (415) 437-3000. For more information about seeking medical attention, please call SFWAR’s Hotline at 1 (415) 647-7273.
• Report to the Police. You can choose to report the assault to police by calling 911 or at the Emergency Department at Zuckerburg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. A counselor on San Francisco Women Against Rape’s Hotline 1 (415) 647-7273 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1 (800) 656-4673 can help you understand the process of involving the police.
• Not Report to the Police. You may want to consider writing down as many details as you can recall about the assault and the perpetrator, in case you decide to report at a later time.
• Talk with people who you feel will support you. Sometimes it can help to talk to someone. You may want to talk to a friend, relative, counselor, or someone else you feel close to.
• Confront the perpetrator. You may want to consider seeking support or from someone you trust and who has shown you support about how best to do this to ensure your safety and well-being.