What to do after the assault.
If you have been sexually assaulted, you must overcome the stigma of reporting the event. The stigma of reporting a sexual assault for both women and men is not as great as it once was, and this change works in favor of the victim. If sexual assault has taken place, you should report the crime for many important reasons, including the following:
- To keep the same person from assaulting others
- To provide psychological closure for you
- To be certain about your own health and have an examination to rule out medical problems related to the assault
Reporting sexual assault.
If you are raped in Bali, my advice would be to present your self to a medical facility as soon as possible (International SOS, BIMC, Prima Medika emergency room, Sanglah Hospital International Wing) and request that a police representative be called to attend your examination by the medical officer. When reporting sexual assault, document as many details as possible, as soon as possible. Accurate recall of events will fade quickly, and documentation in sufficient detail soon after an incident is thought of as more reliable evidence in the legal proceedings that will follow. Note the location and time of any events. Describe the number and characteristics of the assailant or assailants. Write down as much detail as possible about the circumstances surrounding the assault as soon as possible after the assault. Make an effort to recall each and every aspect of what occurred during the assault and turn over this information to law enforcement. Each of these details increases the chances that the suspect will be caught and successfully prosecuted: Maintain as much evidence as possible in its intact state. Do not wipe away or throw away any secretions that can be identified. Do not wash or change clothing, bedding, furniture, or any fabric. Put these items into dry paper bags and seal them. Resist the strong urge to clean up by washing, showering, and douching.
Medical considerations.
If you have been sexually assaulted, you should be examined and treated for sexually transmitted diseases with antibiotics. See a health care provider as soon as possible and get checked again in 2 weeks to make sure that no sexually transmitted diseases have developed. Most women are given emergency contraception in the form of birth control pills that decrease the chance that pregnancy will result from the assault. You may be treated for hepatitis B infection if the assailant is likely to have had hepatitis (a series of shots over 2 months). You will be tested for AIDS and pregnancy (for women). AIDS testing should be repeated every 3 months for 6 months. If it has been 6 months and you have not had a positive HIV test, it is not likely that any infection occurred or will occur. You should get counseling, and the incident should be discussed. Sexual assault is an awful experience. The goal for all victims is to recover and put the bad event behind them.
Sandra McLean, a qualified Safety Training had these further tips to offer after last weeks article on rape. Thanks for this Sandra. Just as animals can sense fear, so can attackers. Police studies have shown that attackers will gladly pass up attacking someone who looks like they will cause a huge fuss. They will continue to look for someone who appears a more likely “victim”, as the shy, withdrawn girl you mentioned. I have personally traveled in over 80 counties and been in numerous potentially dangerous situations. The more a woman “practices” the mannerisms of a confident person, the more she will start to feel some of that empowerment. In safety seminars that I have facilitated, we always council employees as follows:
1. Don’t stand quietly looking down or with arms hanging limply to the side. If you must wait in one spot, pick the brightest, busiest spot, pace back and forth as if impatient and determined. Even putting hands on both hips and standing erect shows an air of confidence, even if you don’t feel it.
2. Always appear you are in control of the situation. Get a friend on your hand phone regardless of the time. Even pretend to talk on your hand phone as if you could identify someone who approached you. If someone does approach you, immediately tell the person on the other end in a very loud voice that someone is coming near you, and start describing them in detail. An attacker will think twice if he thinks he has already been identified.
3. Walk boldly with a determined approach. Swing your arms as if you have focus and purpose.
4. Look all passersby directly in the eye with a look of confidence bordering on defiance.
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Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail at info@chcbali.com”.
