If you have been sexually assaulted

  • Get to a safe place immediately.
  • Call a friend, or call Project Sanctuary for support and information about what to do or where to go.
  • With our help or on your own, call the police or sheriff immediately if you want to file a report. You can always change your mind later. 
  • With help from Project Sanctuary, Law Enforcement, or on your own, consider contacting your local emergency room to schedule an evidence collection exam. A Project Sanctuary advocate can accompany you and provide emotional support. Getting an evidence collection exam is a personal choice. Talk to an advocate about what's involved. 
  • If you choose to have an exam, do not shower, douche, change clothes or alter the scene of the crime. If you think you may have been given a date rape type of drug,  consider going to the ER as soon as possible. The length of time these specific drugs remain in the urine or bloodstream varies from person to person, but generally, the sooner you can provide a urine or blood sample, the better. Within 24 hours is optimum to collect that piece of evidence. 
  • Don’t feel guilty or ashamed. It wasn’t your fault!