Your Options

If you have been recently assaulted, you have numerous options. It is important to remember that everything you do from now on is your choice. We recognize that you may have many difficult decisions to make, so whether you decide to report to the police or just tell a trusted friend, the decision is yours. And there is no wrong or right choice.

Reporting to the Police

If there is any chance you might want to report the assault, try not to shower, bathe, douche, go to the bathroom, change clothes, brush your teeth, eat, drink, or straighten up the area. This preserves evidence.

If the assault occurred in the District of Columbia you can call the DC Metropolitan Police Department Sexual Assault Unit at 202.727.3700.

After you call the police you will typically be taken to Washington Hospital Center for a medical-forensic exam or asked to meet a Detective there. A specially trained nurse (called a SANE or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) will conduct the medical-forensic exam to collect evidence.

In addition, the DC Rape Crisis Center will be contacted, and an advocate will come to the hospital to provide you with support and make sure that you get all of the information that you want or need. Of course, if you do not wish for advocate accompaniment that is okay too.

Remember that you ALWAYS have the ability to stop a police investigation from going forward, even after you have made an initial report. You can choose to end the police process at any time you decide you want to stop.

Seeking Medical Help

Whether or not you want to report the assault, if you are injured you may want to seek medical attention. You can go to a hospital, clinic or private doctor for treatment of external and/or internal injuries, tests for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and support services.

If you want to seek emergency medical attention, but do not want to go alone, a DC Rape Crisis Center advocate can meet you at the hospital of your choice (within the District of Columbia).

If you have questions about going to a hospital, clinic or private doctor you can call the DC Rape Crisis Center 24-hour Hotline at 202.333.RAPE where a trained counselor can talk with you about your options and provide you with referrals.