After the Attack: Seeking Protection and Getting Help Last year, more than 261,000 Americans were victims of sexual assault . If you or a loved one has been attacked, here are ways to protect yourself from harm: Seek safety at a neighbor's house or a public place — wherever you are safely away from the attacker. Your immediate safety should be your top priority Preserve the evidence and notify the police You may feel like bathing or showering and brushing your teeth. Don't Also, don't eat or drink, go to the bathroom, douche or change your clothes. This physical evidence of the assault is vital if you decide to report the attack to police. Even if you are not yet sure whether you want to pursue prosecution, securing the evidence will give you the option Also, try to remember what the assailant looks like Write down all the details you can recall. Call someone you trust — such as a family member, friend or member of the clergy — and ask him or her to come over and be with you Even if you don't want to talk about what happened, it will help you to have a loved one nearby Get medical attention Even if you think you have no physical injuries, a medical exam at a hospital is important to determine the risks of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy Ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam. This will preserve forensic evidence for prosecution. Call the RAINN hot line at 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673). You will be connected immediately to a counselor at your local rape treatment center. In most cases, the counselor will offer to meet you and help you through the medical exam and police report. She will also guide you through what to expect. The hot line counselors are trained to understand, listen and help. You can call whether you were attacked 10 minutes ago or 10 years ago The call is free and completely confidential — you don't even have to give your name if it makes you feel uncomfortable Last, but perhaps most important, remember this: It wasn't your fault. It is common for victims to focus on something they might have done differently, while losing sight of the larger truth: You were a victim of a vicious, violent crime. It will take a while to heal — both emotionally and physically — from such a trauma. But with time and effort, you will heal. What to do if someone you know has been raped or assaulted: Listen and be supportive. Your friend has been through a traumatic experience. Don't be judgmental. Be patient. It can take years to deal with the pain caused by a sexual assault. Let your friend have time to deal with the incident. Let your friend know that professional help is available. Encourage him or her to call RAINN's hot line at 800-656-HOPE. Realize that only your friend can make the decision to seek help. Encourage, but don't pressure. Remember, it is never too late to seek help and begin the healing process. Call RAINN anytime, day or night, at 800-656-HOPE. RAINN is America's largest anti-rape organization, and it operates the country's national rape hot line. Since 1994, it has helped more than 460,000 victims of sexual assault in partnership with 915 local rape treatment center affiliates in 49 states and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.rainn.org . .