Steps to Take After You’ve Been Victimized
May 2nd, 2011 by GuestPoster
We live in a scary world, and while women are empowered to take charge of their lives now more than ever, rape in all its ugly forms is still rampant in society. This is a serious problem in our country, and it can happen to virtually anyone.
As difficult as it is to be victimized and then try to return to a normal routine, it doesn’t have to ruin your life. No one can dismiss your pain, but taking a few simple but crucial steps can get you on the right track. You deserve to be empowered. Let this advice guide you.
First things first. As soon as possible after the attack, you need to go to the hospital. Doing so does not obligate you to go to the police or press charges, but it will then better afford you that option if you decide to pursue it in the future.
Some women still shy away from having a gynecological exam and reporting the incident at a hospital, which is understandable. But you need to take care of YOU first and foremost–no one else is going to manage your own health and well-being better than you.
At the very least, make sure to go to a reputable women’s clinic for STD testing and a pregnancy check. Even if your attacker used a barrier method of protection–like a condom–an infection or conception may still have occurred, so it’s best to have as early detection as possible in order to give you the most choices in treatment options and, again, moving forward with criminal proceedings.
Early detection of sexually transmitted infections often means a cure or easier management of the disease will be possible. So it’s in your best interest to act quickly.
Regardless of whether or not you go to law enforcement, you should seek crisis counseling immediately to help you sort through the emotional, physical, and mental turmoil that you will certainly face. Friends and family members should, of course, be there for extra support, but unfortunately, that is not always the case, especially in acquaintance rape, date rape, or incest.
Allegations as serious as these tend to be divisive, but don’t lose hope. I remind you to focus on yourself rather than how everyone is reacting to what you’re going through. The counselor will be a third party whose job it is to take your side and guide you through the healing process. Don’t let anyone tell you to simply move on or get over it. Take your time–and take care of yourself.
Tags: allegations, attack, attacker, criminal proceedings, crisis counseling, press charges, rape, society, std testing, support, take care of yourself, therapy, victimized
Posted in 2011, Crisis
