Hutt Rape Counselling Network provides crisis intervention and support services to women, men and            children, who are victims of sexual assault alongside their families and friends.

Rape or Sexual assault has profound effects on an individuals mental state and can include emotional
reactions such as:

• Anxiety, fear, anger, guilt, grief and anguish

Mental reactions may include:

• A state of confusion, numbness not be able to concentrate, disbelief , unemotional, crying, shaking

Physical reactions may include:

• Exhaustion, headaches, feeling faint and light headed, and stomach upsets

Behavioral reactions may include:

• Appetite and sleep disturbances, feeling separated and alone, restlessness

Everyone responds differently to a traumatic event. Whatever you are feeling is a normal reaction to what has happened.

           Nobody asks to be raped or sexually abused ( The majority of abusers are known to their victims)
 

• The Police and community agencies such as Hutt Rape Counselling Network recognise how difficult
  it can be for rape and sexual abuse survivors to report to the Police and so they work together to try
  and make reporting more accessible.
   
• Crisis workers provide advocacy, information, and support to answer any questions you may have
  about the legal processes, medical issues, and your feelings after a sexual assault including your
  family or friends
   
• It is your individual right to report rape or sexual assault to the Police. You can choose to report at
  any time after a rape or sexual assault, (Current or Historical) Taking into account the sooner you
  report the better as the Police may find it more difficult gathering evidence.
   

You are entitled to have a Rape Crisis worker for support throughout the process. If you decide to go to the Police your options are:

•   To report the assault and lay a formal complaint aimed at having the offender prosecuted
   
•   To report the assault but tell the Police you don’t want to make a complaint at this stage
   
•   To report the assault and ask that the offender be spoken to but not formally charged
                                          

• It is your choice whether you have a medical examination.
  
  The Police may want you to undergo a medical examination to get as much physical evidence of the rape/sexual abuse as possible.
  
  If you choose to have one done then a medical examination will be performed by a DSAC (Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care) 
• Aside from collecting evidence, there are other good reasons to have a medical examination

   A Doctor can examine you to make sure that no damage has been done, and if you have
                                           been hurt in anyway to treat your injuries.

•   Prevent pregnancy, if rape occurred within the previous 72 hours, you will be offered contraceptives.
   
•   It is also a good idea to have a smear test.
   
•   A Doctor can prescribe you antibiotics to prevent sexually transmitted infections
   
•   Discuss any worries you may have about your safety
   
•   Make an appointment time for a follow up to discuss any worries or concerns that may arise.

     If you have been sexually assaulted please

     do not eat, drink, wash, comb your

     hair, use the toilet, or change your clothing.

     This is very important. Significant medical

     evidence left by your attacker could easily

     be destroyed.