When you are able to get away, run to a place that is well lit and where there are other people.

Find a safe place away from the attacker and call 911, a friend or your local rape crisis center.
(Mecklenburg County - 704.375.9900 24-hour Crisis Line)

To assist in the investigation and prosecution of the rapist, preserve as much evidence as possible until the evidence collection kit has been performed at the local hospital. DO NOT take a shower or bathe, douche or urinate, brush your teeth or hair, change clothes, drink or eat, smoke or wash your hands before you go to the hospital. However, if you have already done any of these things, evidence can still be collected for up to 72 hours after the assault.

In most cases the expenses incurred as a result of the hospital examination will be covered under the North Carolina Crime Victims Compensation Act.

DO NOT disturb the area where the rape occurred.  Write down as many details as you can remember about the attack and the assailant.

If you think you were drugged, tell the person you are reporting to so they can perform the proper tests.

When you report the rape to the police, it is important to be up-front and honest about all the details.

• Although it may be embarrassing to tell the police everything that happened, it is vital to give every detail you can. Remember, the rapist forced you to do what he wanted.
• Be truthful in your re-telling of the events to the police.  Often the defense will try to attack your credibility.  If you are open and honest from the beginning, attacking your credibility will be more difficult.

Seek counseling. Counseling is important to healing. If you try to pretend the rape didn't happen, it will eventually affect every aspect of your life. The sooner you start processing what happened and start rebuilding your life, the sooner you will be able to start healing.

REMEMBER:  Whatever you did to survive was the right thing to do.  You are NOT to blame.  The rapist committed a crime.  Going on a date or giving someone your phone number is not a crime!