!Rape
What is rape?
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Forced sex, sex that is not wanted or agreed to, is rape. Women
or girls may be raped by strangers but most often it is by
people they know, including family members, their husbands or
boyfriends. Men and boys are also raped.
Care: emotion, contraception, STI, injury
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A person who has been raped will need first aid for any physical
injuries. Emotional support and care is also very important.
Treat people who have been raped with kindness and
understanding, do not blame them.
Rape can cause pregnancy. Emergency contraceptive pills or the
right dose of some types of birth control pills can prevent
pregnancy if taken within 5 days of sex. Rape can also spread
sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Health workers can
provide medicines that treat STIs and prevent HIV after rape.
Someone who was raped may find it difficult for you to see or
touch their body, so explain what you will be doing as you begin
each step of your examination or treatment. Ask for permission
each time before touching.
If the anus or genitals have tears, cuts, or bruises, these will
be painful. Give paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen. If
there is a lot of bleeding in the anus or vagina, show how to
use pressure to stop it, in case bleeding starts again later.
For small cuts and tears, soak in warm water 3 times a day.
Pouring water over the genitals while passing urine may help
reduce discomfort. Larger cuts or tears may need to be sutured.
Documenting injuries
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Mark down all the injuries that you find (for example, with a
list and X-marks on an outline drawing of a body, front and
back). If you have permission, take photographs. These can help
you see how injuries are healing when you follow up. They can
also be used as proof that violence or a crime took place.
Look for injuries to other areas of the body as well. See other
parts of this chapter to treat specific problems. A record of
the physical exam and any injuries is necessary if the case is
reported to the police, even if a decision to go to the police
is not made until much later.
Follow-up
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Follow up with the person after a few days to see how they are
doing emotionally and physically. Check cuts or tears for signs
of infection. Bladder infections are especially common for women
after forced or violent sex. Pain or a burning sensation while
passing urine, and feeling like you need to pass urine very
often, are common signs of bladder infection.
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