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If you have been sexually abused, the first thing you need to do is ensure that you are in a safe space. Being involved in an incident that involves sexual assault can cause shock along with injuries, so make sure you are in a safe space before taking the next steps.
Contact The Police
Understanding what to do can be a daunting prospect. If you need to, call Rainn, an organisation that can help put you in contact with local services and access to care should you need it. They can also help you with reporting your crime to the police, can accompany you to the hospital, and can even provide you with emergency shelter.
Assessing Mental and Physical Damage after Sexual Abuse
Once, and if, you decide to report your crime to the police, we advise taking a friend with you. You should also take spare clothing, and avoid bathing or cleaning the area of assault, as you may be asked to visit a Victim Examination Suite.
In the suite, you will be examined by a doctor and evidence such as mouth, genital and hair samples may be taken from you. You may also be tested for pregnancy if you’re a woman, along with STI’s. Any injuries may also be photographed.
When it comes to mental health, you can also request to see a therapist or organise to see one yourself privately.
Claiming Compensation for Sexual Abuse
When claiming money from the CICA scheme, you may need to provide a report from a professional psychologist in order to prove any severe mental trauma. The scheme will pay out for mental injuries from sexual abuse, however, if you are claiming for both physical and mental abuse, the CICA scheme will only pay out for the injury that awards the most compensation.
Moving On
When trying to move on from your ordeal, it’s important to find a support structure that can help you along the way. Counselling, local communities and professional mental care can help with this.
In 2018, the NHS confirmed that it will be offering lifetime mental care for victims of sexual abuse.
