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What Should I Do?
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Find a safe environment - anywhere away from the attacker. Ask a trusted friend to stay with you for moral support.
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Know that what happened was not your fault and that now you should do what is best for you.
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If you are an adult, you have the choice to report the assault to poilce by calling 911. An Otero/Lincoln County SANE can be reached at 575-430-9485 and help you through the process.
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Preserve evidence of the assault - don't bathe or brush your teeth, don't wash the clothes you were wearing and save them in a paper bag
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Write down all the details you can recall about the attack & the attacker.
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The SANE can conduct a rape kit exam to preserve forensic evidence.
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If you suspect you were drugged, blood and urine samples will be collected. The samples will need to be analyzed later by a forensic lab.
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If you do not want to report the assault immediately, still consider:
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Have a SANE exam. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of STDs and pregnancy. The SANE can collect forensic evidence and have it stored in case you decide to report at a later date.
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Five free confidential counseling sessions are available by the rape crisis counselors at The Counseling Center in Alamogordo or Ruidoso New Mexico.
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Recognize that healing from rape takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
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Know that it's never too late to call. Even if the attack happened years ago, The Counseling Center will still offer five free counseling sessions. Many victims do not realize they need help until months or years later.
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