If you or someone you know has been raped in the last 72 hours it’s important to follow three main steps:
1. Safety First
Immediately following the assault:
- Remove yourself from the perpetrator or places where it’s likely that you would run into the perpetrator.
- Stop all forms of contact with the perpetrator (e.g. calls, messages, social media).
- If there is any injury, go to the nearest GP or hospital (for information on forensic medical examinations, please read below).
- If you fear danger at any point, you can reach the police at 999.
Medical Support
If you experienced serious physical injury call 995 or go immediately to one of the following hospitals for treatment (the following hospitals are best equipped to support assault cases):
- Kandang Kerbau Hospital (KKH)
- National University Hospital (NUH)
- Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
Other medical concerns:
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI): You may want to consider getting tested at a local polyclinic, private clinics, GP or hospital
- Pregnancy: If you are concerned that you may be pregnant you can consider emergency contraception.
2. Evidence Gathering
It’s your choice whether or not you want to make a police report. However evidence can be gathered regardless of that decision. This leaves your options open. There is no time limit on reporting a sexual crime.
If you are unsure whether you want to report or not you can collect some evidence on your own such as:
- Take a photo of any physical injury or of the crime scene, including location name or address (i.e. hotel name or block number).
- Message/call someone you trust and tell them what happened (they can act as a secondary witness later).
- Write down a detailed description (of what happened, who, when and where) and send an email to yourself which has a timestamp. You could also send it to someone you trust or to sacc@aware.org.sg.
- Place clothing, sheets or other objects relevant to the crime scene in a sealed plastic bag.
If you decide you would like to report, then immediately following the assault, try to:
- Avoid bathing or showering
- Avoid using the restroom
- Avoid changing clothes or if you do place clothes in a plastic bag with any other personal belongings
- Avoid combing hair
- Resist cleaning up the area
It is natural to want to do all of these things after an assault. However, if you want to report, try not to. DNA evidence can be collected from your body, clothes or personal belongings within the first 72 hours of the assault.
Police may refer you to have a Forensic Medical Examination at hospital to preserve DNA evidence
- If you are below 21, the forensic medical examination will require guardian’s signature.
- The forensic medical examination can only be done if you have made a police report.
3. Support
It is normal for survivors to be in a state of shock or be confused about the experience. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, please know that it is not your fault. Recovering can take time and courage, but no one has to go through this experience alone.
- Call the SACC helpline at 6779 0282. We are here to help!
- Call someone you trust or go to a family member’s or close friend’s house.
- If you feel emotionally unsafe (i.e. have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else) call a professional counsellor or a helpline like Samaritans of Singapore, 1800 221 4444.
