Sexual Assault

What should be done in case of sexual assault?

– Ask help from a family member.
– The victim is advised to not take a shower, change clothes, brush teeth, go to the bathroom or eat anything.

– Go to the emergency room.
The nurse or the doctor will collect information such as:

a. Time, place, the relationship with the assailant.
b. Menstrual pattern.
c. Current or past contraception if married.
d. Immunization.
e. Medications used, allergies.

– Physical Exam:

a. Vital signs.
b. Injuries and genital trauma. Photographs of injuries can be taken after victim’s consent.
c. The victim will be asked to remove the clothes to be collected.
d. Collecting samples of the victim’s blood, saliva, hair.
e. Collection of assailant’s information from the victim’s body like: hair, skin, blood.
f. Examination for semen if found.
g. Cervical swabs for infection.

– Lab tests:

a. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, trichomonas, syphilis, HIV.
b. Pregnancy test.

– Treatment given:

a. Emergency contraception.
b. Sexually transmitted diseases prophylaxis.
c. Tetanus, Hepatitis B and HPV immunization is given if not immunized.

– The victim is advised to go back to the doctor after 1 – 2 weeks for general check-up.
– Hepatitis B and HPV vaccine should be given again at 1 and 6 months after.
– HIV and syphilis tests should be repeated at 3 and 6 months.
– Crisis counseling should be offered.
– The victim is advised to wait at least 3 months before trying to get pregnant.