Steps
If you are the victim of a sexual assault, it is important to follow certain steps to ensure your safety and facilitate a thorough investigation. If you have been victimized:
- In addition to notifying the police, you may call Sexual Assault Victim Services, a local rape crisis center, at (714) 834-4317.
- Do not change or wash your clothes, take a shower, bathe, wash your hands, douche, comb your hair, eat or drink anything. Do not touch, move, destroy, or discard anything where the crime occurred.
- If you can recall any details about your assault, write them down right away. Include details such as name of perpetrator, race, age, weight, height and what the person was wearing. If a car was involved, write down the make, model, color and any other information you can remember.
- Depending on the circumstances of what happened, you may be asked to go to medical facility for a medical exam. A trained Forensic Nurse Specialist and Sexual Assault Advocate will be with you during and after the exam.
- As a victim of sexual assault, you have the right to have an advocate and/or support person of your choice with you during the interview and medical procedures.
- As a victim of a sexual assault, your name, address and other personal identifying information can be kept confidential.