I’ve been sexually assaulted – what do I do?

If you’ve been sexually assaulted or abused recently you can:

  • Tell a trusted adult – this could be a parent, a family friend, an aunt or uncle, a teacher, a school counsellor.
  • You could call a crisis service like the Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800, or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292 to talk about what to do next
  • Call Police on 000 to report the assault. In Victoria ask for the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit or Sexual Crimes Squad
  • It's important that you have a medical check up. If the assault has been reported to the police, you can agree to forensic evidence being collected at this examination. Usually this is only done if the assault happened within the last 72 hours.

What is forensic evidence?

This is when a doctor collects evidence for the police and writes a report. Things that might be used as forensic evidence include photographs of bruises or wounds. The Doctor may also take swabs using long medical cotton-buds. Taking swabs means wiping areas of your skin or body to collect items for evidence or for testing.

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For more information

For more information about this or to contact the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault go to the SECASA website.