Sexual Violence: What to Do and Where to Go

If you are in danger right now: call SAPS on 10111, or 112 from a mobile. For 24-hour support, call the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428. If it happened in the last 3 days, go to a hospital or Thuthuzela Care Centre now for medicine that can prevent HIV.

What happened to you is not your fault. It does not matter what you wore, drank or said, or who the person was. You deserve care, and you get to decide what happens next.

Staying safe on your phone: if someone may check your phone, read this in a private or incognito tab, clear your browser history afterwards, or use a trusted friend's phone, a work phone or a library computer.

What is happening

Sexual violence is any sexual act without your consent. This includes rape, forced touching and being made to do sexual things through threats, pressure or while you were drunk, drugged or asleep. It can be done by a stranger, a partner, a spouse, a relative or someone you know.

Your health comes first. Medicine to prevent HIV, called PEP, works best when started as soon as possible and must start within 72 hours. Emergency contraception works best early and up to about 5 days. You can also be treated for infections. You can get this care without opening a police case.

Thuthuzela Care Centres are one-stop centres, mostly at public hospitals, where you can get medical care, counselling and help with reporting in one place. If you might report, try not to wash or change, and keep your clothes in a paper bag. But please still go even if you have already washed.

Signs to notice

• It happened in the last 72 hours
• You were hurt, bleeding or are in pain
• You cannot stop replaying it, or you feel numb
• You are scared the person will come back
• You feel ashamed or blame yourself
• You have not told anyone yet

30-second self-check

Answer yes or no. If you answer yes to the first question, stop here and get help now: call SAPS on 10111 or 112.

• Are you in danger from the person right now?
• Did this happen in the last 72 hours?
• Are you injured or in pain?
• Does the person know where you live or work?
• Are you having thoughts of hurting yourself?
• Are you alone with this, with no one you have told?

0-1 yes: If your yes was the first question, get help now. If this happened recently, go for medical care today even if you feel okay.
2-3 yes: Please go to a Thuthuzela Care Centre or public hospital today, and call the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428 for support.
4 or more yes: Please get help now. Call 10111 or 0800 428 428. If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567.

What you can do next

• Today: Go to a Thuthuzela Care Centre, public hospital or clinic. Ask for PEP, emergency contraception and a check-up. Take someone you trust if you can.
• This week: Decide, in your own time, whether to report to SAPS. There is no time limit to report a sexual offence. Go back for any follow-up tests and finish all your medicine.
• This month: Start trauma counselling. Shock, nightmares, fear and numbness are common after sexual violence, and they can ease with support.
• If you open a case, ask for your case number and the name of the investigating officer.

Your tool

Safety Plan Builder - helps you plan where you will be safe, who you can call and what you need, especially if the person knows you.

When to get professional help

Get medical care straight away, even without injuries. Get counselling any time, whether it happened yesterday or years ago. It is never too late to get support.
Who can help: emergency services (SAPS), doctors and nurses, counsellors, social workers, Legal Aid South Africa

Getting help in South Africa

• Thuthuzela Care Centres: medical care, counselling and help with reporting in one place. Ask at any public hospital or the GBV Command Centre where the nearest one is.
• GBV Command Centre (0800 428 428): 24-hour support and referrals.
• SAPS (10111): to report. Ask for a Victim Friendly Room.
• Public hospitals and clinics: PEP, emergency contraception and care, free.
• Cleared Mind 24-hour Careline (0800 212 146): confidential counselling, any time.