Steps survivors can take after experiencing sexual assault at work
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Sexual assault in the workplace can be one of the most horrific experiences anyone could go through.
It’s baffling. It’s alienating. And it can make anyone feel helpless about what to do next – particularly when the perpetrator is your boss, coworker, or daily office visitor.
Here’s the truth:
You are not alone. And there are steps you can take to protect your health, your rights, and your future.
The #MeToo movement shed light on this crisis years ago. But today’s numbers are still staggering. One national survey found that 82% of women and nearly half of all men have experienced sexual harassment or assault during their lifetime.
But knowing what to do next can help survivors take back control.
Let’s walk through it…
Here’s what’s inside:
- Get to a safe place first
- Seek medical attention straight away
- Preserve any evidence you can
- Report the incident internally
- Contact law enforcement or a legal advocate
- Prioritise mental health support
Get to a safe place first
Before anything else, personal safety comes first.
If it’s still happening, escape. Get to a place where you can feel physically safe – another floor, a friend’s office, a café down the street, or even home.
Here’s why this matters:
Trauma is experienced in the brain. It can alter how the brain processes information. When you’re in shock your body feels like you can’t think straight.
Arriving at a place of safety allows the body and mind to recover. That’s when survivors can start planning for the future.
Another helpful tip is to reach out to someone you trust. You don’t need to talk about what happened – just having another person present can be beneficial.
If there is any immediate danger, call 911 without hesitation. That’s non-negotiable.
Seek medical attention straight away
The next step is medical care – even if the injuries don’t feel obvious.
Here’s the thing:
Some injuries can’t be seen from the outside. Internal injuries, STIs, and pregnancy are all possible after sexual assault. Medical professionals can help with all of these.
Hospitals will also perform what is known as a SANE exam (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner). You want this because:
- It documents injuries in a professional setting
- It collects DNA evidence (through a rape kit)
- It provides preventive medication
- It creates a formal medical record
When dealing with institutional sexual abuse claims (your employer or organisation failed to keep you safe), this paperwork is even more important. Advocacy groups such as Kayla’s Survivors educate survivors on their rights and guide them through filing institutional sexual abuse claims with negligent employers.
Attempt to speak with someone within 72 hours. Evidence expires.
Preserve any evidence you can
Evidence matters. It can help a survivor build a case if they decide to seek justice in the future.
What counts as evidence?
- Clothes worn during the assault (do not wash, keep in paper bag)
- Text messages, emails, or voicemails from the perpetrator
- Photos of any physical injuries
- A written account of what happened while it is fresh
- Names of any potential witnesses
Keep all evidence in a secure location. Backup digital evidence to your own cloud account when possible. (Not your work cloud account)
Tip: If you don’t feel ready to file a report, preserve your evidence. Many survivors decide to come forward weeks, months or even years later. And that is perfectly fine.
Report the incident internally
Deciding to report the assault to your employer is a huge decision. And it’s one that is completely personal.
Every workplace should have a procedure for reporting sexual assault. Typically this is through HR or a third party internal ethics hotline. Here is where it can get messy.
The truth?
More than half of survivors keep the harassment they experience at work a secret. They don’t tell anyone. They fear retaliation, being disbelieved or harming their career.
If you do choose to report internally, do this:
- Put the report in writing (email is best)
- Keep a copy of everything you send
- Document who you spoke to and when
- Write down what was said in every meeting
Some employers will treat you fairly. Others … won’t. That’s why keeping records is so important. They can protect you if things go south.
Contact law enforcement or a legal advocate
Victims of assault can tell the police about what happened to them. They can also choose not to.
Both choices are valid. Both are personal.
To pursue criminal charges, the survivor should contact their local law enforcement. Law enforcement officers can take their statement, refer them to victim services, and begin investigating.
But there is another route that many survivors don’t know about…
You can reach out to a legal advocate or lawyer who specialises in sexual assault in the workplace. They can:
- Explain your legal options
- Help you file a civil claim
- Guide you through the reporting process
- Represent you in negotiations or court
The legal process can also reveal a history of abuse. Unfortunately, sexual harassment in the workplace is exceedingly prevalent, and many offenders have victimized others in the past.
Prioritise mental health support
Healing from workplace sexual assault takes time. And it should never be done alone.
Survivors often deal with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Sleep problems
- Trouble concentrating at work
Seeking out a trauma-informed therapist can be incredibly helpful. Organisations such as RAINN (rainn.org) can also provide free and confidential support anytime day or night.
Reach out to friends, family and close colleagues that you trust. Trying to recover alone is tough and when it feels like the whole world is against you, a few people who know you believe you can help keep you grounded.
Don’t let anyone hurry you along. Healing is not a straight path – some days will feel easy, some days will feel unbearable. Neither are indicators of where you are in “recovery”, they are just indicators that you are healing.
Bringing it all together
Sexual harassment in the workplace is something no one should ever experience. If you do find yourself a survivor, you are never alone.
The steps to take include:
- Get to safety
- Seek medical care
- Preserve any evidence
- Report internally if you choose to
- Explore your legal options
- Prioritise your mental health
There’s no “right” way to react. There’s no timetable for recovery, either. What’s most important is for survivors to do what feels comfortable for them – with the support of caring people.
Justice can be served. Healing can occur. One step at a time.