Seek Help

If you have been sexually assaulted or raped:

1. Go to a safe place, if you can. Call someone you trust like a friend or a parent.
2. Call our 24 hour hotline at 1-800-228-2470. An advocate will listen to you and offer support and information to help you decide what to do next.
3. Do not wash, change your clothes, smoke, or eat or drink anything. Evidence can be collected from your body and clothes, which you may be able to use in court if you decide to report the crime to police.
4. Go to a hospital. At no cost, you can get medical attention for injuries and treatment for possible sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy prevention. Evidence of your assault can be collected also at no cost to you. Going to the hospital for help does not mean police are called unless you decide to make a report. Our advocates will meet you at the Emergency Room and help you through the process.
5. Consider reporting the crime to police. Evidence may be collected anonymously at the hospital will be kept for 90 days. You can take that time to decide if you want to report the crime.

There are many ways sexual assault can happen. Downeast Health can provide caring and confidential help if you are a victim of:

SEXUAL ASSAULT

Sexual contact that is forced. This includes oral, anal and vaginal penetration without consent that occurs between two or more people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or relationship status. A sexual attacker may be a friend, acquaintance, date, employer, relative, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse or stranger.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE OR INCEST

Any sexual activity committed against a child by a person who is older or more powerful. Often this occurs by threatening, forcing, or manipulating the child into a sexual act. Incest refers to any sexual contact between any family members, including parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles, step-parents, and live-in partners of parents. Incest usually occurs between an adult and a child and is the most common form of sexual assault.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Forcing or tricking someone (either a child or an adult) into posing for sexually explicit photographs or movies. Other forms of exploitation include performing sexually explicit acts for the entertainment or benefit of others.