Immediate help after rape: Poster campaign to raise awareness

Immediate medical help after a rape is important. The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, Frankenberg District Hospital, Kurhessenbahn and Nordhessischer Verkehrsverbund are therefore currently publicising the services offered by the district hospital with a poster campaign on trains.

Rape is always a medical emergency
Rape is a medical emergency. Always. Statistically, however, only a maximum of 15 per cent of those affected report a rape to the police. Also, only a negligible number of victims report to hospital after a rape to receive medical treatment, although this is important in order to treat injuries and rule out health risks.

Care and securing evidence - even without a police report
The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg and Frankenberg District Hospital want to change this: Waldeck-Frankenberg has therefore been a model region for immediate medical assistance after rape since 2016. What does that mean? In the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, victims of rape can receive medical care without having to report the incident to the police. This is because for many victims, reporting a rape to the police is out of the question or they do not feel able to make this decision for the time being. As a result, they often do not contact the police and often receive inadequate medical care because they fear that they will be pressurised into making a report. At Frankenberg District Hospital, those affected can be treated and have evidence secured. A report can also be made later.

Mental and physical injuries
Those affected often suffer mental and physical injuries "This service, which we have been offering together with the district hospital for several years now, is so important so that those affected can first treat the physical injuries of the offence and receive medical advice," says District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. After receiving care at the district hospital, there is also the option of receiving psychological counselling from the specialist service for women and equal opportunities. "After such a traumatic experience, we want to provide the best possible support for those affected," emphasises Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor.

"The examination and medical treatment are therefore free of charge for everyone. If those affected wish to secure the traces, even if they do not yet wish to press charges, this will also be done free of charge." The preserved traces will be stored for one year at the forensic medicine centre in Giessen. For minors, the one-year retention period begins at the age of 18. "If those affected decide to press charges during this period, the secured traces can then be used by the police. If no charges are brought, the material is destroyed after one year," explains Dr Volker Aßmann, Head of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Frankenberg District Hospital.

More attention, more help
Large posters are currently being displayed on trains in Waldeck-Frankenberg to draw attention to the service. "It is alarming that only 15 per cent of offences are reported. For Waldeck-Frankenberg, with 23 reported cases in 2022, this means a number of unreported cases of up to 460," emphasise the district's women's representative Beate Friedrich and her deputy Miriam Drüppel. "Unfortunately, this also means that the majority of those affected do not receive medical care, which is absolutely necessary after a rape," Dr Aßmann continues. "It is therefore all the more important that there are many contact points for girls and women and we are delighted to be one of the 36 centres affiliated to the initiative, which are active in 27 regions of Germany," emphasises Margarete Janson, Managing Director of the Kreisklinik.

The topic, which is unfortunately still a taboo subject, is to be brought to people's attention again and again through campaigns such as the poster campaign on trains. Jens Wrabletz, Managing Director of Kurhessenbahn, and Wolfgang Rausch, Managing Director of Nordhessischer VerkehrsVerbund, are certain that "if the campaign's message keeps popping up on the way to work, to a party, to the shops or back home, more and more people will be sensitised to this offer" and are therefore happy to support the campaign.

Immediate medical assistance after rape is subsidised by the Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration. Further information on this topic is available online on the district's website or on the website of Frankenberg District Hospital. The website also explains the exact procedure, which examinations are carried out and how evidence is preserved.

Keywords:

Specialist service for women and equal opportunities Together against violence Immediate help after rape