After rape

Your behavior after experiencing rape is important to you! To ensure your safety and preserve evidence, you should decide to make a report.

Immediately after the rape:

1. seek safety: Go, you to a safe place away from the perpetrator*.
2. do not shower or wash yourself: Avoid showering, bathing, eating, drinking or changing clothes as this could destroy evidence.
3. preserve evidence: If possible, keep the clothes you were wearing and any other potential evidence in a clean paper bag.

Medical care and evidence preservation:

1. seek medical attention: Go to a hospital or doctor as soon as possible to receive medical care. They can treat injuries, prevent sexually transmitted infections and prevent pregnancy.
2. forensic examination: Have a forensic examination carried out to preserve evidence. This can be carried out by specially trained professionals.

Anonymous forensics:

Anonymous securing of evidence: in Münster there is the option of anonymous securing of evidence. This means that you can have evidence secured without immediately reporting the crime to the police. This evidence is stored anonymously and securely in case you later decide to take legal action.
Advantages: You have time to make a decision without risking the loss of evidence.
Procedure: During the forensic examination, evidence such as DNA, hairs and fibers are collected and stored in an anonymized kit. The kit is given an identification number that is not linked to your name.
Retention: The duration of retention varies by region, usually from several months to several years.

Psychological support:

1. emotional support: seek support from friends, family or specialized counseling centers for victims of sexual violence. In Münster, there is an emergency hotline for raped women and girls and other organizations that offer help around the clock.
2. therapy and counseling: Long-term psychological support can help you to process the traumatic experiences and find your way back into life.

Legal steps:

1. consider reporting the crime: Consider whether you want to press charges. It is your decision and there is no "right" or "wrong" in terms of when you take this step.

2. legal advice: If you decide to press charges, it may be helpful to seek legal advice to understand your rights and possible next steps.

Further steps:

1. self-care: take care of yourself and your needs. This can include taking time for rest and recovery, maintaining healthy habits and engaging in positive activities.
2. networks and groups: Consider connecting with support groups or support networks to talk to others who have had similar experiences.

Every woman reacts differently to such traumatic events, and it is important that you proceed at your own pace and according to your own needs.