RAPE part 2
The Rape Kit
Your chances of successful prosecution depend heavily on the evidence in your rape kit, and you only have one chance to get that evidence -- immediately after the rape. You do not have to decide immediately whether to report the rape to the police. You can collect the evidence and decide later on whether or not to report it to the authorities. When obtaining a rape kit, a medical professional will:
- Collect any semen left in the victim's vagina, other body fluids and hair
- Look for clothing fibers and scene evidence, such as grass or soil
- Take clippings of your fingernails to examine any residue from your attacker or the scene
If you want to refuse any particular test during the exam, you have the right to do so. If you are under 18 and want to keep the information about the rape from your parents, ask whether the laws in your state will allow it.
Many women report that prosecuting their rapist helps re-establish a sense of control in their lives, aiding in their recovery, according to the Abuse & Incest National Network. Still, deciding whether or when to file a police report is a personal decision.
You can ask a doctor, nurse or friend to help you report the rape while you are receiving medical care or wait until after the examination. Many local laws have a cutoff date by which the crime has to be reported if it is to be prosecuted.
Follow-Up Care
It's important to see a doctor again within a week or two after the attack to receive your blood test results and to treat any resulting injuries.
Emotional care is also critical. Many rape survivors will experience Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS), a collection of emotional responses to the extreme stress of the sexual assault.
Some survivors openly display their emotions; others may appear calm and detached. Sleeping and eating patterns may change and nightmares commonly occur afterward.
It's critical that you seek and continue counseling or support groups for as long as you need them.
Sources:
"Health Information Privacy."
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