LESS THAN 7 DAYS AGO

You are first met by the midwife on duty, or another trained doctor who knows the effects of sexual violence and understands that you have been through a serious trauma. You are informed and explained, what means of help we have for you, and you can take time to decide what to do next. The midwife or doctor will hear out all your concerns and help to find solutions. Different available further help options will be explained to you.

As one course of action, we offer medical examination and forensic evidence collection because it is important to determine the state of your health, to describe and treat your injuries, and to collect evidence that can later be used in the investigations. Sometimes people are anxious and afraid of the examination. Your midwife and doctor have received special training and know how to carry the check-up out so that you would feel dignified and treated with respect. Every step of the process will be explained to you. You can ask to stop the examination at any point. You may bring a friend or relative along and have them by your side also during the examination.
 
During the examination, the doctor will:

– Ask questions about your past state of health;
– Inspect all possible injuries;
– Help to decide whether you need pregnancy prevention (e.g., if you need to take a morning-after pill);
– Assist you in understanding if you need any treatment to decrease the chances of getting HIV infected, or some other STI;
– Decide what evidence to collect and preserve (e.g. sperm in the vagina, underpants, etc.);
– Offer you the possibility to take urine and blood samples, in order to trace drug content (should it be required in the future).

If there is a chance that you might get pregnant as a result of the sexual violence act, we can help you prevent the pregnancy. There are two options: taking a morning-after pill, or having an intrauterine device placed. Morning-after pills decrease the pregnancy risk if they are taken within 3 to 5 days from the assault. The earlier the pills are taken, the more efficient they are. The morning-after pills will be given to you free of charge. Fitting a copper intrauterine device within five days from the assault is also an effective way of pregnancy prevention, and this option is also provided to you for free. The doctor will help you decide which option is best for you.

During the act of sexual violence, you have the risk of getting infected with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We advise how and when it is rational to test yourself for STIs, and whether you could need preventive treatment against HIV. Testing enables to detect chlamydiosis, gonorrhoea, and trichomoniasis: samples are collected with a cotton bud from your throat, vagina, or anus, whatever the case may be; the infections can also be tested from urine. To test for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, we ask your consent to take your blood sample. Tests must be repeated, and your doctor will tell you all about it.
 
In some cases, treatment is required after experiencing contact with an HIV carrier. This considerably decreases the possibility of getting HIV, and your doctor will help you decide whether you need it. Treatment must be started within three days of contact, and your doctor will refer you to the infectious diseases’ specialist for the continuation of the treatment and monitoring.
 
If you are not vaccinated against hepatitis B but the doctor thinks that you need it, the vaccinations should begin as soon as possible (6 weeks from the assault, at the latest). Your doctor will refer you to the infectious diseases’ specialist for it.
 
Tests and treatment are provided to you free of charge.

Our counsellors have received special training on helping a sexual violence victim. You may be experiencing feelings that you have never felt before, vulnerability, fear, and loneliness. Such reactions are perfectly natural. You may wish to share your feelings with someone who understands you.
 
After the initial check-up, we ask you to visit the gynaecologist in order to help you get back your daily routines and to understand what has happened. If required, the gynaecologist will refer you to a psychologist or a specialist of some other field. Often, your close ones might also need counselling to understand how to support you better. You are offered after-care for a certain period on a regular basis, at times which suit you best. Even if at first you might find going to the follow-up sessions repulsive, you may find , that counselling is increasingly more of help and supports your healing.
 
Read more: Coping after Sexual Violence

You should seriously consider informing the police. It is your decision whether you wish to initiate official proceedings or not, and whether you do it now or even (years) later. If you initiate official proceedings, you will help to prevent others from falling victim to the perpetrator. You must certainly turn to the police if your or someone else’s life and health are in danger.
 
When you turn to initial help, your doctor will explain how to turn to the police, and how the proceedings are organized. Take someone close along to the police, someone whom you trust. Ask how to get legal counselling and help. When initiating the official proceedings and getting legal help, you might also find victim support workers and women’s shelters helpful.