Why you must report to police and see a medic after rape

A scared woman on the floor. [Courtesy/GettyImages]

According to Dr John Njuguna, a survivor should go to the hospital after sexual abuse for two reasons. One, for her to receive treatment as well as receive prophylaxis against deadly STIs, and prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Reason number two is to collect and preserve evidence that will be essential in obtaining justice.

He says: “We collect evidence first by observing and recording physical trauma sustained by the survivor. We do a vaginal swab to collect biological evidence for forensic analysis.”