Medical attention

Where can I get medical attention?

If you are injured, please see a doctor.

If you are prepared to file police report for potential proceedings against the perpetrator, it can be helpful to do a forensic medical examination to preserve evidence. Tell the police that you wish to do this, and they will escort you to a hospital to do so.

Trained Befrienders can accompany you to both the police headquarters and the hospital to provide information and emotional support through the various processes. Call (6779 0282) or email us (sacc@aware.org.sg) to ask for a Befriender.

Forensic Medical Examination

It is possible to do a forensic medical examination in order to preserve evidence. However, it can be done only if there was penetration of any form. Based on police discretion, this examination can be conducted even after 72 hours on a case to case basis.

If you wish to do this, you will first have to file a police report, after which you will be escorted by an officer to a hospital to have the exam. This exam will be performed by a forensic examiner with specialised training.

The examiner will require your full complete and thorough medical history, as well as conduct a full physical examination, including around the genital area. Tests also involve the medical staff taking samples of semen and hair to conduct DNA testing.

Emergency contraception

If you were recently sexually assaulted or forced to have unprotected sex, you could be at risk of pregnancy. You should consider taking the morning after pill to prevent a pregnancy.

Emergency contraception, also known as “Plan B” and “the morning after pill”, is birth control you can use to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It is widely available in Singapore. It is usually more effective the earlier you take it after unprotected intercourse, ideally within 48 to 72 hours. Pills such as ella can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse. If you need emergency contraception, visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Emergency contraception is not the same thing as the “abortion pill” (mifepristone/RU-486). If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception does not cause an abortion. Emergency contraception is estimated to reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75-90% by providing hormones that either prevent the release of an egg, or by thinning the lining of the uterus in order to discourage implantation of a fertilised egg.

For more information on emergency contraception, please click here.

STIs

You may also be at risk of contracting a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) if you have been sexually assaulted or forced to have unprotected sex.

An STI is defined as a disease that can be transferred from person to person through sexual contact, including oral, vaginal, anal and skin to skin contact. It is important for a survivor of sexual assault to get checked for STIs whether or not they experience symptoms. Please see below for resources on STIs and clinics where you can get tested.

You may feel scared or embarrassed to get tested, which is completely understandable. However, remember that you deserve to be healthy, and none of this is your fault.

After getting tested, it is important to go for follow-ups. Ask the doctor for treatments for STIs, preventive or otherwise.

HIV

If you have been sexually assaulted or forced to have unprotected sex with someone who has the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), you may be at risk of contracting it as well.

HIV attacks the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections. A person infected with HIV can take up to 10 years to develop Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is the end stage of HIV infection. Persons with HIV usually have no visible signs or symptoms.

HIV can be transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV-infected partner through the exchange of body fluids (semen, vaginal fluids as well as blood).

You can get a Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) treatment started immediately after exposure to help prevent infection. However, the treatment comes with strong side effects and should only be taken in extremely high-risk cases. Click here for more information.

It is completely understandable to feel scared or embarrassed to get tested for HIV. However, do remember that none of this is your fault. You can be tested anonymously at these clinics.

Other resources

Sexual Health Resources in Singapore
A regularly updated collection of information about sexual health resources and services in Singapore.

Action for AIDS Singapore
Singapore’s leading independent organisation of HIV experts

Department of STI Control Clinic
The DSC Clinic is a specialist outpatient clinic for the diagnosis, treatment and control of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Singapore.