What should I do after experiencing sexual violence?

1. Seek Support:
   Reach out to someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, family member, or colleague. Having their support throughout the process can be invaluable. You can even have them accompany you during examinations if you wish.

2. Visit the Emergency Room:
   Head to the hospital’s Emergency Room where professionals can attend to any injuries you may have sustained. They can also provide guidance on testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. In some cases, you might consider obtaining emergency contraception.

3. Preserve Evidence:
   Changing clothes or showering could compromise evidence. If possible, refrain from showering before the examination. It’s essential to gather any items that could serve as evidence of the violence, such as your clothing or objects like hygiene objects (tampons, pads). Place them in a paper bag to preserve them and hand them over to the police.

4. Document Your Memory:
   Write down everything you can recall about the incident as soon as possible.

5. Secure Electronic Communication:
   Save any emails or chat logs that may contain relevant information.

6. Reporting to the Police:
   If you decide to report the incident, there are different options to do so. Apart from presenting at any police station in Berlin, you can call 110 or make an online report. Many women have good experience with making an online report, why we recommend considering this method.

7. Confidential Evidence Collection:
   If you’re uncertain about reporting to the police immediately but may consider it later, you can opt for “Vertrauliche Spurensicherung” at the Gewaltschutzambulanz of Charité Berlin. Contact them for an appointment (Mo-Fr, 08:30-15:00, via +49 30 450 570 270).