Free, Confidential, 24/7 Sexual Violence Support Services 908-233-7273
Immediate Help After Sexual Assault
There is no right or wrong way to respond — your safety and well-being matter most
If you have experienced sexual assault recently, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. Every survivor responds differently, and there is no one right way to decide what to do after a sexual assault. Some people seek medical care immediately, while others need time before deciding what steps to take.
If the Assault Just Happened
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to a safe place.
You may also consider seeking medical care. Hospitals can provide:
Treatment for injuries
Testing for sexually transmitted infections
Emergency contraception
A sexual assault forensic exam (rape kit)
You do not have to decide immediately whether you want to report the assault to law enforcement in order to receive medical care. A sexual assault forensic exam is recommended as soon as possible. In New Jersey, exams can often be done up to 7 days after an assault, and sometimes up to 9 days depending on the situation.
Preserving Evidence
If you think you may want to report the assault later, try to avoid:
Showering or bathing
Brushing your teeth
Changing clothes
Washing clothing or bedding
However, even if you have already done these things, you can still receive medical care and support.
You can track your kit. New Jersey’s statewide Track-Kit system lets you follow your SAFE kit’s location and status at every stage — confidentially, and without contacting law enforcement. You will get your tracking information at the exam. Learn more on our Legal Rights and Options page, or call 908-233-7273 and an advocate will help.
Whatever you are feeling is valid.
Advocacy Support
During the acute period (up to about 9 days after an assault), hospital response and support during forensic exams are coordinated through Union County’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and the YWCA Union County Sexual Violence Program.
Emotional support
Information about rights and options
Non-acute accompaniment to medical and legal appointments
Police accompaniment
Court accompaniment
Referrals to counseling and community services
Reporting to law enforcement is always the survivor’s choice.
More Information When You Need It
- The most important factor should be ensuring your safety. If that means calling someone you trust to stay with you or doing something that brings a sense of normalcy. Once you feel safe, you can either…
- Call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest police station should you decide to file a report with law enforcement., or;
- Go to your nearest hospital emergency room and request to have a sexual assault exam*, or;
- Contact your local sexual violence program (in Union County, that’s Karolina’s Place) to learn about your options and be connected with other resources you may need.
Sexual violence is never the survivor’s fault — no plan or precaution changes who is responsible. Safety planning is simply a personal tool some people find helpful for feeling safer, on their own terms.
- If the survivor is 13 years of age and older and the assault occurred within 7 days, they have the option of activating S.A.R.T. (see the S.A.R.T. section on this page) to receive medical treatment and have a sexual assault forensic exam (or rape kit) done.
- If they do not want the exam done or it has been more than 7 days since the assault, they can visit their primary care doctor or OB/GYN to ensure physical health.
- If the survivor is not feeling safe where they are, suggest they go to visit a friend, family member, or a shelter.
- Does the perpetrator know where the survivor lives, phone number, or daily routine? Suggest having a friend or loved one stay with them for a while. They can also try to switch up their daily routine and change their phone number/block unwanted calls.
- Has the perpetrator contacted or threatened the survivor? There is always the the option of filing for a restraining/protective order (see the S.A.R.T. section on this page).
- Always have a form of communication handy. Make sure phones are charged and have emergency numbers programmed.
- If a survivor expresses they want to confront their perpetrator, or are considering it, ask what they hope to gain from the confrontation. Discuss the pros/cons and realistic expectations so that they can make a decision they are comfortable with.
- Discuss the plan: would it be face-to-face, over the phone, via social media? Do they plan on going alone or do they need someone for support?
- Discuss and plan for after the confrontation. Take into consideration any possible safety issues. Ensure the survivor is not alone and has a supportive environment post confrontation.
- If the survivor knows places their perpetrator frequents that they also visit, have them consider going at different times to avoid seeing them.
- Discuss an exit strategy should they learn their perpetrator is in the area.
- Have the survivor consider going to alternative stores.
- Consider having a buddy system in place for when they have to go somewhere they may encounter the perpetrator.
- Inquire with campus PD if arrangements can be made to have a police escort if classes are scheduled during the night time or if parking is far from the building.
- Inquire with the administration if there is permitted parking closer to the building, given the circumstances.
- Explore school/campus support systems. Many colleges/universities have a crisis/counseling center on site. Or use the buddy system and walk with a classmate between classes, to lunch, their car, etc.
- Encourage the survivor to alert their support systems of any concerns and have someone they can reach out to if needed.
- Be mindful of privacy settings that may disclose current locations and places frequented.
- In the event that the perpetrator may know the survivor’s WiFi password, consider changing it. This change can prevent the perpetrator from accessing devices like Google Home or iHome.
- Encourage the survivor to do a Google search of themselves/their children to learn what information is out there that can be dangerous.
- If there is contact by the perpetrator on social media via direct message (DM) or texts, encourage the survivor to take screenshots. This is a helpful way of documenting the behavior.
Survivors who have been sexually assaulted may be concerned about pregnancy, contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or HIV.
It is important to have an exam to test for possible infection as soon as possible after being assaulted.
What are STIs?
STIs (also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs) are infections that are spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Most STIs are curable if diagnosed early.
What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus.
What is the Risk of Getting an STI or HIV from Sexual Assault?
The risk of getting an STI from sexual assault is low and the risk of being infected with HIV is extremely low. However, the survivors health and safety are an important component of self-care after a sexual assault. Below are locations that offer HIV and STI testing.
STI/HIV Testing Sites:
Neighborhood Health (Plainfield)
Planned Parenthood (Elizabeth)
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
* New Point Campus (908) 994.7300
* Williamson St. Campus (908) 994.8517
Post Exposure Medication Assistance:
NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Gilead (Truvada Manufacturer’s Financial Assistance)
Victims of Crime Compensation Office (see the S.A.R.T. section on this page)
Pregnancy
It is possible to prevent pregnancy after an assault with emergency contraception (also called EC) if taken within 120 hours, or five days. All New Jersey emergency health care facilities are required by law to provide EC information to patients who have been sexually assaulted. EC services must also be provided when requested.
What is Emergency Contraception?
EC (emergency contraception) is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected vaginal intercourse. The most common method is in pill form (also called ECPs, or Morning After pills).
For more information, click HERE
https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids/
The Sexual Assault Response Team (S.A.R.T.) is a coordinated response — a certified forensic nurse examiner, a confidential sexual violence advocate, and law enforcement (only if the survivor chooses) — available when a survivor seeks care after a recent sexual assault.
When can S.A.R.T. be activated? Under New Jersey Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2024-02, the team can be activated when the assault occurred within the past seven (7) days and the survivor is 13 years of age or older. In some circumstances, a forensic exam may be available up to nine (9) days after an assault — a forensic nurse examiner is consulted when a survivor reports continued pain, visible injury, or other extenuating circumstances.
You are always in control. You can request an advocate only, medical care only, or the full team — and you never have to report to law enforcement in order to receive medical care.
In Union County, acute hospital response is coordinated through the county S.A.R.T. For information, options, and non-acute support, call our free, confidential 24/7 line: 908-233-7273.
Sources: NJ Office of the Attorney General — updated SART guidelines (Directive No. 2024-02) · njoag.gov/end-sexual-assault
You Are Not Alone
Confidential support is available 24 hours a day. Reach out whenever you are ready.
Build Your Personal Safety Plan
A safety plan is a small anchor for hard moments — made by you, for you. Fill in whatever feels right (every field is optional), then download or print it. Nothing you type is saved or sent — it stays on your screen only.
1 · My support people
The people who steady you — and what kind of support each one is good for.
2 · My safe places
Places where your body gets to exhale.
3 · What tends to activate me
Knowing your triggers isn't dwelling on them — it's giving yourself a map.
4 · What helps me feel grounded
Your personal toolkit — the things that actually work for you.
5 · When it's really hard
A pre-decided plan for the heaviest moments, so you don't have to think — just follow your own instructions.
6 · Feeling safer day to day
Small practical steps, only the ones that fit your situation.
7 · Things I want to remember
Words from you, to you — for the days when it's hard to remember.
🔒 Your privacy: nothing you type here is saved or sent anywhere — it exists only on your screen until you leave this page. Every field is optional. If you share this device, downloading may be safer than printing — and store your plan somewhere only you can find it.