Get Help
Whether you have been recently sexually assaulted or it was a past occurrence it is important that you:
- Get Help
- Go somewhere safe
- Consider police involvement
- If assault occurred recently, save evidence
(don't eat, drink, smoke or shower and save the clothes you were wearing)
Regional Sexual Assault Program
8:30-4:30
Go to the Regional Sexual Assault Centre at St. Joseph’s hospital
Afterhours
Call 519-646-6011, press 0 ask for the nurse on call for the Regional Sexual Assault Program to be paged
Provides:
- Medical care (up to 1 year post assault)
- Emotional care and support
(Can be started up to 1 year post assault)
- Forensic evaluation
Available up to 72 hours following the assault in most cases.
(Forensic means "of the law" and refers to collection of evidence)
|
Emergency Room at University Hospital or Victoria Hospital
Provides:
- Medical care (injuries, STI, pregnancy prevention)
- Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Referral can be made to the Regional Sexual Assault Program from the hospital |
Sexual Assault Centre London
519-439 -0844
24 Hr. Crisis and Support Line
519.438-2272
Provides:
- Accompaniments - for survivors to hospital, police service, etc.
- Counselling - Individual counselling available to women 15 years of age and older
- Support Groups - offers women the opportunity to feel less alone as they work on their healing.
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After an Assault
Sexual assault can be a complex and painful experience which may require a combination of supports that are available through legal, medical, psychological, faith or spirituality-based services. Family, friends and connections on campus, such as residence staff and support staff may also be helpful to you.
Common
feelings and experiences after an assault:
-
Fear, guilt, sadness, numbness, helplessness
- Lowered self esteem, inability to stop thinking about the sexual assault, nightmares, flashbacks
- Grief, anger, loneliness, confusion, betrayal, shame
- Isolation, changes in
appetite, sleep patterns and sexual drive, difficulty concentrating
You might choose to tell someone you trust, such as a close friend or
relative. Sometimes the people you turn to will not understand. There are others
who will. Remember it is not your fault and you are not alone. No
matter what you were doing or wearing, or where you were when the assault look
place, you are not to blame.
Grounding Tools
If you are a survivor and are feeling scared or panicky, this might help:
-
Breathe deeply. Ground yourself in the moment
- Develop a ritual, something that makes you feel safe - hold a comfort object, listen to music, take a warm bath
- Do something physical to get you back into your body – eat, jog, rub your hands over your body, clap your hands together, brush your hair
- Remind yourself that you will not always feel this way
- Remember that you are safe now
- Call a support person
