I need Help
RainLily provides companion for immediate and follow-up medical care and legal procedures, contact RainLily Hotline 2375 5322 for more or request RainLily services at A&E. All information is kept strictly confidential.
Do you feel helpless? Don't know what to do?
RainLily supports and walks alongside with women who have been sexually assaulted in their journey of healing, to emerge out of the darkness of the situation.
If you have experienced sexual violence, please remember - it is not your fault.
We understand your struggle, and your needs. We know it takes courage and support to confide in someone and ask for help.
RainLily provides information about your situation, your rights, and the support available to you.
RainLily Sexual Violence Helpline: 2375 5322
SafeChat Online Support
Emotional reactions you may experience
After the incident, you may experience a complex range of emotions. This could include confusion, fear, anger, anxiety, or self-blame.
Perhaps you have had thoughts like these…
It is my fault:
'I got myself into this situation because I didn't have enough self-respect...'
'I regret trusting people so easily, I am so stupid!'
'Not only did I get myself into trouble, my friend also got hurt because of me, how will I ever make up for that…?'
I am furious!
'My heart is filled with pain. Why would this happen to me? Why did I have to experience this?'
'What did I do wrong?'
'What right did that person have to abuse me like this?'
'Why hasn’t that person been brought to justice? There is no justice!'
Maybe I should forgive them?
'I know I should forgive that person, even though I'm angry. But I cannot do it…others say I should, but they don't understand how much pain I'm going through.'
I feel ashamed
'Even though my boyfriend loves me, I don't think I'm good enough for him.'
'I am not even worthy of being loved.'
'My first time is already lost. How can I tell my husband?'
'I feel horrible, I feel so dirty...'
Thoughts like these can cause agonizing internal conflict. You struggle to take the next step, and you wonder if there is a way out at all.
Whatever you are feeling, those emotions are trying to tell you that you need more care. Give yourself some quiet time to find out what your needs are, so you can make the best decision on what to do.
If you want to share your burden, we are more than willing to listen: please contact RainLily Hotline at 2375 5322
Please remember
Right now you may feel very negative towards life. Perhaps you find yourself unable to focus on your daily life, and scenes of the assault keep floating back to your mind. Try doing some calming exercises to put your heart at peace, and have a good night's sleep before thinking about your next step.
In times of doubt, remember: It is not your fault!
You may question if you will ever recover, but we believe you absolutely have the capacity and power to stand back up. It is a matter of choice.
No matter how deep the pain cuts, you have to remember: you are a valuable person, and you are worthy of respect!
If you need someone to walk with you on the path of recovery, choose someone you truly trust to assist you. You can also call our hotline for reliable help.
Your medical needs
Sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, etc.) can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Accidental pregnancy is also an issue to handle. It is vital to plan the relevant medical checkups and procedures as soon as possible.
Remember
Your medical information is kept absolutely confidential.
You can request for nurses or social workers of the same sex to do your medical checkups.
All checkups and medication require your consent to proceed.
If you feel uncomfortable during the checkup, you have the right to temporarily halt all procedures.
RainLily can also help you with arranging medical checkups and follow-ups at specified hospitals
Immediate medical checkup services
Pregnancy test and abortion treatments, if needed
Within 72 hours after the incident: Oral contraception, HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis
Uterus checks
Blood test
Hepatitis B antigen and antibodies
Syphilis test
HIV antibody test (Under the participant's consent)
Medical follow-up services (Within half of the year of the incident)
Since viruses have incubation periods, it may be necessary to have 5 further body checks, to confirm the body's state of health and ensure the issuance of suitable treatment.
Medical accompaniment
RainLily staff will accompany participants throughout the medical checkups, providing them with support.
Things to note after the event
(Testifying to the police; forensic procedures)
Consider calling the police
After the incident, you may ask, “Should I call the police?” Calling the police is your decision. We hope to help you make an informed decision by providing you with information that will help you understand each step of the police-reporting procedure, and your legal rights.
No matter what decision you make, we will always support you!
You should consider calling the police as soon as possible, as evidence tends to deteriorate over time.
Keep anything you were wearing during the incident (including underwear, and avoid showering) for evidence.
It is recommended that you bring a trusted family member, friend or social worker with you.
It is your personal choice to report an incident. Make a decision that best suits your interests. If you need to, contact the RainLily guidance workers to help in making a decision.
RainLily Hotline: 2375 5322
When testifying to the police
speak clearly about what had happened. Provide the date, time, place, people involved, and how it happened.
Read the details of the report carefully. If you see any mistakes, notify the officer for correction.
Ask to see the reports before signing them. You also have the right to obtain a copy for your own keeping.
To assist in the investigation, you may be required to give further statements. If this happens, suggest a suitable time and date for the police to make a convenient arrangement.
Your Rights
You can request for a female police officer to take your statement
Ask for the officer's name, position, police number, phone number and the case number.
You need not respond to any questions that are irrelevant to the case, such as your sexual history.
You can request to take a break, or to stop and postpone the statement-taking.
Your privacy and dignity is to be respected.
You may ask for family members or a social worker to be with you during the statement-giving.
You may request for protection in court, such as giving testimony behind a screen.
You may request for a medical checkup within 72 hours after the incident.
Forensic investigation procedures
Inquire into your current body condition and past medical records.
Record any visible wounds and injuries.
Carry out a vaginal examination.
Collect blood or urine samples if needed.
Your rights
You may request for family members or a social worker to accompany you during the examination
Remember
After the finishing all the procedures, you can inquire about the progress of the investigation.
If the victim was involved in minor offences during the incident, they may request to give a non-prejudicial statement, which means what the victim says can only be used as evidence against the defendant, and not against victim herself.
The law has ensured that your name will be kept confidential.
In order to understand the case thoroughly, the police will ask you a lot of questions. Don't panic and think the police doesn't trust you, just respond honestly.
RainLily can also provide
RainLily can provide legal assistance, and a guidance helper to accompany you through all the procedures. They will respect whatever decision you make.
RainLily Hotline: 2375 5322
Court proceedings and your Legal rights
When in court, you may feel worried or nervous but these are all normal reactions. As the trial approaches, you may feel uneasy and have rapid changes of emotion.
Understanding the purpose and procedures of the court may help reduce your fears, and be better prepared for the trial.
If you want any emotional help, please call the RainLily Hotline: 2375 5322
Before the trial - you may apply to testify through video link, or behind a protective screen
If you are worried that appearing in court would affect you or your friends and family, you can apply, via the police, to have a screen in court, or testify to through video link. (The applicant needs to explain to the police why they request for such measures, such as emotional disturbances or other reasons.)
Things to note before the court hearing
When the judge handles your request for protection when testifying, you may need to explain directly to the judge your reasons for the request.
Make sure you confirm and attend court on the specified date, time and location.
If you receive any form of threat, persuasion and harassment, report it to the police right away.
Unless permitted, do not leave the courtroom.
Wait in the witness waiting room. If needed, you can request to go to waiting rooms on other floors. (You would need to notify the police in charge.)
Court procedures (Trial > Testimony > Verdict and Sentence)
1. Trial
（Prosecution Lawyers > Defense Lawyers (Interrogation) > Prosecution and Defense Lawyers ask follow-up questions）
You will need to provide information on what occurred during the actual incident, your relation with the defendant, and other related information.
The prosecutor may ask you some sensitive details, but this may help clear up ambiguities and build the case in your favor. They do not doubt nor distrust you.
Defense Lawyers (Interrogation)
Defense lawyers will try to challenge the reliability of your statements, and demand you to answer repetitive questions. This may cause panic, but try to stay calm, and slowly respond to questions concerning the incident.
If needed, you may ask the judge for a break.
Prosecution and Defense Lawyers ask follow-up questions
During all stages of the trial, the judge has the right to ask you questions.
Remember
When waiting to be called up to testify, do not tell anyone what you will say in your testimony
When responding to questions, speak slowly and clearly.
You must give the complete truth.
If you are not sure of the answer, do not make it up.
If you are not sure of the question, ask for the question to be repeated.
If you feel uncomfortable, you are allowed to ask the judge for a break.
2. After testifying
The witness will receive notice to leave the court and obtain witness fees.
(If a new event occurs, you may be required to go to the court again to give more information)
3. After the court hearings
The police are responsible for notifying you of the verdict and sentence, as well as the progress of the situation if the defendant appeals.
The police will return physical evidence to you.
Remember
The court's verdict and sentence are a collective result of many different variables. Don’t blame yourself for performing poorly during the hearing. Whether the defendant is found guilty or not, you have already been very brave to seek justice for what had happened. The offender and other people will have received a severe warning of the consequences of such acts, deterring them from harming others in the future.
RainLily can also provide
RainLily can provide legal assistance; guidance workers to accompany you through all the procedures, giving support when needed.
Your right to demand compensation from the harasser and related parties
Apart from seeking justice through the law, you can also claim for "Violence and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation" or obtain payments from the offender through civil means.
Application criteria for the social welfare committee's "Violence and Law Enforcement Injury Compensation" plan (Violence and injury insurance team : 2892 5220):
This case has to be an actual crime case, or has already been reported to the police.
The applicant must to be a citizen of Hong Kong.
The application must be within three years after the event.
The applicant will have been retained in hospital, or has applied for more than three days of sick-leave.
The victim can apply for the scheme by themselves.
Civil Claims
Applications for a civil claim can be made to the district court, which will give its verdict.
Victim must be prove that the incident occurred due to the defendant/offender.
Other than financial loss, a statement about any psychological distress and/or lifestyle changes incurred as a result of the incident should be included in the application.
Should assistance be required during the more complex law procedures, professional legal advice should be sought.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
FOR ENGLISH SPEAKING VICTIM-SURVIVORS
TALK Hong Kong
Talk Hong Kong provides monthly group support meetings for women/femme survivors of childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault that happened when you were an adult.