If you have been physically or sexually abused, you should get medical help as soon as you can. If possible, you should go to the hospital within 72 hours (three days) of being abused.

If you do this, the doctor or nurse will be able to give you medication to help to prevent you from being infected with HIV. This medication is called PEP, which stands for ‘post-exposure prophylaxis’. You will have to take these pills every day for 28 days.

The doctor or nurse may also be able to give you medication to prevent you from falling pregnant. Both of these medicines are free in public hospitals and clinics. You might feel a bit sick after taking this medicine, but it is very important to keep taking it until it is finished.

If you do not get to the hospital within 72 hours of being abused, the PEP and medication to stop you from falling pregnant will not work. Talk to the doctor or nurse about other options.

You should take a trusted friend or family member with you when you go to the hospital to support you. You can call an ambulance to come and get you if you can’t get to the hospital by yourself. Going to hospital may be hard. They may make you wait a long time and they may not be friendly. Don’t worry. Remember that it will be over soon.

The doctor or nurse will need to do some tests to get evidence. These tests will help the police find your abuser. You have a right to know the results of these tests.

Remember: You should not take a bath or shower or change your clothes after being sexually abused. Wait until you have been to the hospital. If you have already changed your clothes, take them to the hospital with you. Be sure to put them in a paper bag or a bag made of cloth or even a clean pillow case. This will preserve evidence such as semen, blood or hair. Do not put your clothes in a plastic bag because plastic can damage the evidence.

You have the right to medical treatment to:
* Stop pain
* Prevent pregnancy
* Prevent HIV and other STIs
* Treat injuries

What will the doctors and nurses look for?
The police need a lot of evidence to find the person who abused you. The doctor or nurse might take a long time (up to two hours) to examine you and it might be difficult, uncomfortable and scary for you. Take someone you trust to the hospital with you, to support you. You must tell the doctor about each and every time that you have ever been sexually abused. The doctor needs to know what happened so that he or she can help you.

You could be asked these questions:

* How old are you?
* Where were you when you were sexually abused?
* Do you know what time it was? Do you know what day it was?
* What happened? Who abused you? How many people abused you?
* Did your abuser threaten you with a weapon, or force you to let them touch you? Did they force you to take drugs or drink alcohol?
* How were you abused? Did they put an object or their genitals in your mouth, vagina or anus? Did they use a condom when they abused you?
* What did you do after you were abused? Did you have a shower or bath or did you go straight to the hospital?
* After you were abused did you bleed, get sores or feel pain or itching on or in your penis or vagina? Have you had problems using the toilet? Do you have stomach pains?
* Are you allergic to anything? Do you have any illnesses?
* When was your last period? Do you take contraceptives?
* Have you ever had sex before? Have you had sex since you were abused?

Remember: Do not be afraid. This is not your fault. Try to answer the doctors and nurses as truthfully as you can. They are there to help you.

Importantly, the doctors and nurses must:
* explain to you everything that they do to you.
* explain the importance of testing for HIV, STIs and pregnancy.
* explain to you that there is medication available that may prevent you from getting HIV and from falling pregnant.
* give you a medical examination.
* write down your medical history and other important information about your health.
* give you information about counselling.
* give you any other medical help that you might need.
* keep the evidence until it can be handed over to the police.
* treat you with care and respect at all times.