Sexual assault has many impacts on an individual’s health, so medical care is critical for survivors of sexual violence.
Talk openly with your medical provider so they know what to look for and how best to protect you from further physical and mental trauma.
Treatment & Prevention: Injuries, STIs, & Pregnancy
You may not have noticed any injuries to your body, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t hurt. A medical provider can check for injuries you can’t see or feel, including internal injuries.
Call 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger or seriously injured.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral contact, including nonconsensual contact. Medical tests can determine whether the assailant passed an STI to you.
- Preventive Medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking “prophylactic medication”— preventive prescriptions that stop STI bacteria or viruses from taking hold in your body. Talk to your provider about symptoms, potential side effects, and whether the medication will interact with other medicines you’re already taking.
Pregnancy
One in 20 U.S. women have experienced pregnancy from rape, sexual coercion, or both, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (1)
- Preventive Medication. If the assault occurred within the past five days, your SANE may offer you the “morning-after pill,” a form of emergency contraception that can help prevent pregnancy after sexual assault. The morning-after pill works by delaying or preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg. The morning-after pill does not terminate a pregnancy that has already occurred. (2)
- Pregnancy Care. If you become pregnant from sexual assault, you may have questions about perinatal care, termination services, adoption services, parental rights, and other pregnancy-related topics. If you aren’t comfortable discussing these topics with your healthcare provider, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline can connect you with specialists who can assist with your pregnancy-related questions.
Sexual Trauma & Mental Healthcare
Sexual violence is a traumatic experience that impacts the survivor’s mental health.
You may develop rape trauma syndrome, a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that affects survivors of nonconsensual sexual contact. An estimated 94% of female survivors experience PTSD symptoms within two weeks of sexual trauma. (3)
Many survivors turn to therapy for help identifying and navigating their feelings and behaviors that stem from trauma.
Medical Disclaimer: Please note that the content on this site does not constitute medical advice, and RAINN is not a medical expert. If you have further questions after reading this information, please contact a local healthcare professional or hospital.
SOURCES:
- Centers for Disease Control. (October 2024). Pregnancy Resulting from Sexual Violence.
- Mayo Clinic. (July 2024). Morning-after pill.
- Cleveland Clinic. (April 2024). Rape Trauma Syndrome.