AS A STUDENT WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I BECOME A VICTIM?

A. If Someone Tries to Rape You:

There is no foolproof way to prevent rape. And different people have different opinions on how to cope with a rape attempt. Below are some suggestions on what can be done. But they are only suggestions and whether or not you should try them depends on the circumstances.

• Try to talk your way out. One trick is to tell the potential rapist that you have venereal disease or any other dangerous and infections disease.

• Pretend to go along with him, and ask to be taken to a more suitable place, then look for a chance to run away. The idea is also to delay him, because the more you delay the more your chances are of being spotted by someone and rescued.

• Scream only if you are within earshot of someone else because screaming may lead to more violence from the rapist. And scream ‘fire’ not ‘rape’. Experts believe that more people are likely to answer the former call than the latter (CAP,1988).

B. If You are Raped:

According to advice from the Polices and Doctors (CAP, 1988), if you are raped, please follow the below advices to take your farther actions:

• DO NOT WASH UP OR CHANGE CLOTHES.

A girl’s first instinct after she is raped is to cleanse her self. But it is VERY IMPORTANT that she gets a medical examination before she washes her self. Seminal and blood stains, mud, debris, foreign fibre and hair on her face, body and clothes all constitute important corroborative evidence.

• GO FOR A MEDICAL EXAMINATION.

Go for a medical examination at the Accident & Emergency Department of a government hospital immediately. Doctors will examine you in a private room to gather evidence of the rape. You will first be provided with forms requestion your approval for the medical examination, and that the information be used for police investigation. The doctor may examine your genital areas and your clothes. While you may feel uncomfortable, it is very important to gather evidence right away.

• REPORT TO THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY.

The hospital staff will notify the police. You may make a police report at the hospital. You could also choose to go to the police station first, whereby a policewoman should accompany you to the hospital after your report is lodged. You can still make a police report later, but after 72 hours, a rape is considered a ‘cold case’ i.e., the evidence may no longer be there.

• ASK FOR HELP.

The victim should ask a supportive person- a family member or close friend- to go with her to the police station. The presence of someone she trusts will help her go through the embarrassing and often traumatic act of reporting to the police and the subsequent medical examination. The police and doctor will want a full statement of what actually took place (CAP, 1988). Contacting a women’s NGO or a counseling service is important, even if you decide not to go to the police. Talking can help you deal with feeling of fear, anxiety and worthlessness that victims of sexual assault often experience (WCC, 2007).

C. The Accused: What Happens to Him:

If the victim is able to identify the accused, he will be taken to the police station to make a cautioned statement, that is, his version of what had happened. He is then taken to the hospital for a medical examination.

Before the examination proper, the police officer accompanying the accused has to identify the accused. The name and number of the officer is then noted. Before the written consent of the accused is obtained, it is explained to him that the result of the examination may go against him.

Identification marks on the accused are noted. His age as well as the development of his genital organs and physical powers are compared with those of the victim. The doctor will also look for signs indicating the influence of alcohol or drugs.