5.5 Follow-Up
When the survivor is ready to leave the health center, there are many questions that may be appropriate to use to follow up:
Was the survivor given discharge instructions, including instructions on medication(s) to take? Do they have the medication already, or do they need help getting it? Do they understand the instructions they’ve been given about how to take their medication?
Does the survivor need to return to the health center for any tests or treatment? If so, would they like you to accompany them?
Would the survivor like you to check in with them in a few days or a week, to see how they are doing? Oftentimes, survivors only realize the impact of sexual assault days or weeks later, so it may be helpful to know that they can contact you for support or referrals.
If the perpetrator has been arrested, is there a way that they can be notified if the perpetrator is released for any reason (e.g. if they post bail)? This is often called jail notification, and it may be available in your area.
Have you provided the survivor with information concerning support services, including legal support and crisis counselling, available in your community? For example, if victim’s compensation is available, do they know how to apply for it? See the ‘Referrals’ section for more information.
Many advocates make themselves available only for health center advocacy, but others work to create a long-term support network that accompanies survivors on their healing journey, however long the process. It’s up to you to choose to do this or not.
It’s important that the survivor know that by coming to the health center, they took an important first step in self-care but that they will need to be patient and compassionate with themselves as they begin the process of physical and emotional healing.
It can be very helpful to makes plans to check in with the survivor because it may take some time to process their feelings or even for their feelings to come to the surface.
It’s very normal for them to think, in the moment, that the assault is not bothering them and that they can put it behind them.