You are not to blame. Be patient with yourself. Believe in yourself.
You are still capable of doing all the things you did before you were assaulted. It may feel impossible, but you will succeed. Your attacker chose to hurt you – you did not ask to be hurt.
Give yourself time to heal – emotionally and physically.You have experienced a trauma.It takes time to return to a pre-trauma level of functioning.Recovery is a process.You may experience a setback.Remember that you have been through an experience that your mind is struggling to understand. Take care of yourself.Eat healthy goods, get plenty of rest, set limits, and spend time with people who are supportive. Talk with someone – counselor, understanding family or friends, victim’s advocate.
To Report or Not to Report; It Is Your Choice
If you are a victim of a sexual assault, you decide whether or not to file a report with law enforcement.
If you are a victim of a sexual assault, please consider having a forensic examination by a SANE Nurse.Filing a report with law enforcement is required to have a forensic examination.
A forensic examination includes collection of physical evidence.For adult victims, it is recommended a forensic examination be conducted within 72 hours of the sexual assault.A SANE Nurse is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, a nurse specially trained to collect evidence of sexual assaults.