What to do after a violent attack

Being attacked can leave you hurt, shaken and angry, even if you feel you "got off lightly". Men are often expected to brush it off and carry on as if nothing happened. You don't have to. What happened to you is a crime, and you have the same right to help and protection as anyone else.

This guide takes you through the first hours and days after an attack. You don't have to do everything at once. Start with your safety and your health.

In the first hours

1. Get to a safe place. Move away from the person who attacked you. Go somewhere with other people around, such as a shop, a petrol station or a neighbour's house.
2. Get medical help. Go to a clinic or hospital, or call an ambulance. A blow to the head or the stomach can be serious even if you feel fine at first, so get checked.
3. Call someone you trust. Ask a friend or family member to come and be with you. You don't have to go through this alone.
4. Write down what you remember. As soon as you can, note the time and place, what the attacker looked like, what they said, and who saw what happened. Shock makes memories fade quickly.

Getting your injuries recorded

Tell the doctor or nurse that you were attacked and that you may open a case. A doctor can record your injuries on an official medical form, often called a J88, which can be used as evidence in court.

Even small injuries are worth recording. Bruises can take a day or two to show. If new marks appear, go back and have them noted, and take your own clear photos each day.

Keep copies of everything the clinic or hospital gives you, including any medical certificate you may need for work.

Protecting evidence

Good evidence can make the difference between a case that moves forward and one that stalls. Try to:

• keep the clothes you were wearing, unwashed, in a paper bag;
• take photos of your injuries over several days;
• save any messages, voice notes or call records linked to the attack;
• note any cameras nearby, for example at shops or petrol stations, and tell the police quickly, because footage is often recorded over;
• keep the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened.

Don't try to track down the attacker yourself. It can put you in more danger and can harm the case.

Opening a case

You can open a case at any police station, not only the one closest to where the attack happened. You will be asked to give a statement. Take your time. Ask the officer to read it back to you before you sign it, and ask for changes if anything is wrong or missing.

Before you leave, make sure you have:

• your case number;
• the name and contact number of the officer who helped you;
• a note of the station and the date.

Later, ask for the name and contact details of the investigating officer, so you know who to call for updates.

If you know something about the attackers but are afraid to be named, you can give an anonymous tip to SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Our guide to opening a case explains the process step by step, and what happens after you report covers what comes next. You also have rights as a victim, which are set out in your rights as a victim of crime. If you are turned away or not taken seriously, read if the police won't help you.

How you may feel afterwards

After an attack, it is common to:

• replay what happened over and over;
• feel jumpy, on edge or quick to anger;
• struggle to sleep, or have bad dreams;
• feel ashamed that you couldn't stop it;
• avoid going out, or avoid the place where it happened;
• want to drink more than usual.

These are normal reactions to a frightening event. They are not a sign of weakness. For many men they ease over a few weeks. If they don't, or if they get worse, talk to someone. Our guide on coping after trauma has more on this.

Be careful with alcohol and drugs in the weeks after an attack. They can numb things for a night, but they often make sleep, anger and low mood worse. See alcohol, drugs and coping.

Myths and facts

Getting support

You don't have to deal with this alone.

• In an emergency, call 10111, or 112 from a cell phone. For an ambulance, call 10177.
• If you are struggling to cope, call Lifeline South Africa on 0861 322 322. If you have thoughts of ending your life, call the SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567. Both are open 24 hours a day.
• You can report what happened anonymously at /report. It takes about five minutes and needs no name or account. If you would like someone to contact you, tick the support box when you report.
• To reach the Men for Change support team, go to /contact?topic=support.
• More emergency numbers and helplines are listed at /resources.