Texas Health offers the following tips should you become a victim of sexual assault:

• Go to a safe place and call someone you trust
• Go to the nearest hospital with a SANE program or call 9-1-1
• Do not change clothes but bring a change of clothes to the hospital
• Do not shower, bathe or douche
• DO not brush hair or teeth
• If possible do not eat, drink, or go to the bathroom
• Do not smoke

If you have done any of the above it is OK! It is still recommended to seek medical services to make sure that you are alright. A sexual assault medical forensic exam with evidence collection can be done up to 5 days after the assault. If you are 18 or older you may choose not to report the sexual assault to law enforcement. You are still entitled to receive a sexual assault medical forensic exam with evidence collection in case you decide to report the assault later. The evidence kit collected will be stored for five years anonymously at the Texas Department of Safety (DPS) crime laboratory giving you time to consider whether you want to report the assault. To learn more about your rights as a sexual assault survivor, please read the Information for Survivors of Sexual Assault by the Texas Health and Human Services.