If you are assaulted...
- Your goal is survival.
- You are not to blame. The blame for any act of sexual violence should lie solely on the perpetrator.
- Do not shower, bathe, change clothes, eat, drink or smoke as these could contaminate possible evidence.
- Do not disturb the crime scene.
- Consider reporting the incident to law enforcement. This does not mean you have to press charges.
- Get medical attention.
- Call Piedmont Rape Crisis Center for help at 770.586.5423 or 911 for law enforcement.
Are you in a safe place?
Do you need transportation or some other means to help you get to a safe place? Transportation can be arranged on a care-by-care basis.
Talk with someone who can help.
If you've seen at a local hospital following a recent assault, if available, someone from the Piedmont Rape Crisis Center will be there, providing you with information, support, and referral sources. A packet of information will be given to you before you leave the hospital. To talk to someone immediately, call 770.586.5423.
A forensic medical examination (rape exam) option is available to victims whether you choose to report it or not. A forensic medical examination is an exam specifically designed to collect evidence left behind by the perpetrator. The choice to have this exam is a hard one to make when an assault has happened, but can often be helpful in the healing process and time is of the essence.
Adult victims in the state of Georgia have the right to a free and confidential forensic exam (rape exam) and are to be allowed access to a free and confidential exam in the state of Georgia, whether the victim desires law enforcement involvement or not. O.C.G.A. § 17-5-72
For more information about a forensic exam and what it means visit our "Forensic Exam Resource Page".
Need Help Now? Call our 24/7 Crisis Hotline.
If you have a friend or family member who is a victim...
- Listen. Be there for your loved one.
- Believe them. It takes courage to talk about a sexual assault with other people.
- Give non-judgmental support.
- Empower them to make their own decisions.
- Respect their privacy, let them decide who to tell.
- Offer to go with them to talk to someone they trust.
- Do not tell them to forget.
- Know that sexual assault happens to all genders. No one is immune.
- Call Piedmont Rape Crisis Center for help at 770.586.5423 or 911 for law enforcement.
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