I Was Touched Without Consent – Now What?
Table of Contents
Immediate Actions for Safety
- • Move to a safe location away from the perpetrator.
- • Contact a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor to be with you.
- • Preserve evidence—avoid changing clothes or washing before medical exam.
- • Use immediateActionsGraphic to guide urgent steps.
Emotional First Aid
Practice grounding: 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 sensory technique to stay present.
Use simple breathwork—inhale for 4, exhale for 6—to calm your nervous system.
Reach out to a supportive person for validation and comfort.
Refer to emotionalSupportGraphic for exercises and tips.
Creating a Personal Safety Plan
Identify safe places you can go and people you can call in an emergency.
Establish code words or signals with friends for discreet help.
Keep essentials—phone, charger, ID, keys—in a ready-to-go bag.
Use safetyPlanGraphic to draft your personalized plan.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
You have the right to report any non-consensual contact under the Indian Penal Code (Section 354A).
Medical facilities must offer a free forensic medical examination (Forensic Kit 2) if requested.
Confidentiality is guaranteed—no police complaint is required for medical care.
See knowingRightsGraphic for a summary of protections and recourse.
Exploring Reporting Options
File an FIR with local police; you can be accompanied by a trusted person or lawyer.
Report to Internal Complaints Committees if it occurred at work or school.
Seek a medical-legal report at a government hospital’s rape crisis center.
Use reportingOptionsGraphic to choose the path that feels right for you.
Navigating the Legal Process
After filing, police investigation includes witness statements, evidence collection, and medical reports.
Magistrate’s court stages: charge sheet, hearings, cross-examination, judgement.
Options for legal aid: free legal services, NGO-supported lawyers.
Refer to legalProcessFlowchartGraphic for a detailed timeline.
Self-Care & Healing Practices
- • Engage in creative expression: journaling, art, music to process emotions.
- • Maintain routines: gentle movement, balanced nutrition, restful sleep.
- • Set boundaries: limit contact with reminders of trauma, use calming environments.
- • See selfCareGraphic for a toolkit of soothing practices.
Seeking Professional Support
Trauma-informed therapists and counselors offer safe, non-judgmental spaces.
Consider helplines like 181 Women’s Helpline or RAINN Talkline for immediate support.
Group therapy and survivor circles can reduce isolation and offer peer solidarity.
Refer to therapyOptionsGraphic for a list of modalities and contacts.
Connecting with Survivor Communities
Online forums and local support groups provide shared experiences and practical advice.
Peer mentors can guide you through each step and offer companionship.
Use peerSupportGraphic to find vetted groups and virtual meetups.
Next Steps
- • Review and complete the immediateActionsGraphic checklist for your safety.
- • Draft your safety plan using safetyPlanGraphic and share it with a trusted ally.
- • Schedule a counseling session and keep therapyOptionsGraphic handy.
- • Reach out to one peer support group this week using peerSupportGraphic.