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What should I do if I've been forced to have sex?

Being forced to have sex by a stranger or someone you know is one of the most traumatic things that can ever happen to you. But you don’t have to go through it alone. There are many people and organizations that can help you.

  • To talk to someone right away, contact RAINN (the Rape and Incest National Network) at 1-800-656-HOPE or www.rainn.org. They can give you moral support along with information about preserving evidence of the attack, getting medical care, and reporting the attack to authorities. (RAINN’s toll-free number only works in the United States, but you can find contacts in other countries on their website here).
  • If you’re worried about getting pregnant, you can use emergency contraception for up to five days after you were sexually assaulted. Emergency contraception can significantly reduce your risk of pregnancy after sex. If you live in a country where you need a prescription for emergency contraception, contact your health care provider right away or use our database to find someone in the US who offers emergency contraceptive pills (also called "morning after pills" or "day after pills"). You can also seek treatment in a hospital emergency room. In many countries and some US states, you can get emergency contraceptive pills from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.
  • If you’re worried about getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), you can ask hospital emergency room staff or your health care provider about “post-exposure prophylaxis,” treatment that can prevent you from getting infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases – even if you were exposed to them during a sexual assault.
To find even more resources or to hear from other women who used emergency contraception after being forced to have sex, you can visit Raising Her Voice, a website that provides a safe space for survivors of sexual assault to share their experiences.



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