The Types of Injuries Uber Sexual Assault Victims Sustain

The world can feel shattered after a sexual assault. One minute you’re trying to get home safely, and the next your trust is violated in a way that leaves you feeling confused, scared, and alone. 

Especially when the assault happens during a ride you thought was secure, like an Uber, the violation can feel even worse. You might be wondering what to do next as a victim of an Uber sexual assault, where to turn, and even if anyone will believe you.  

No matter the circumstances, no one deserves to be violated. 

Knowing what to expect after a sexual assault can be empowering. It can help you take back some control in a situation where everything feels out of control. 

That’s why we’ve compiled this article to help you understand the injuries involved in a sexual assault and how you can handle the situation moving forward. 

Types of Sexual Assault-Related Injuries 

Here’s a breakdown of the different types of injuries that can occur following a sexual assault: 

External Injuries 

• Bruises, cuts, and scrapes: These injuries can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the arms, legs, breasts, neck, and genitals. 
• Lacerations: These are deeper tears in the skin that may require stitches to close. 
• Bite marks: Bite marks can be inflicted during the assault and may leave marks on the skin. 

Genital Injuries 

• Vaginal or anal tearing: This can occur due to forceful penetration or the use of objects. 
• Labial injuries: Bruising, tearing, or swelling of the labia majora or minora. 
• Internal injuries: Injuries to the vagina, cervix, or rectum may not be readily visible but can cause bleeding or pain. 

Other Physical Injuries 

• Head injuries: If the head is struck during the assault, there could be bumps, cuts, or even more serious injuries like concussions. 

• Dislocated or broken bones: In some cases, the struggle during an assault can result in bone fractures or dislocations. 

How Evaluation is Done  

The best place to get an evaluation done after a sexual assault is usually a hospital with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) on staff. These are specially trained nurses who understand what you’re going through and can handle both the physical and emotional sides of things. 

The most important thing to remember is that this is entirely your decision. There’s no pressure to have a medical exam if you’re not ready. 

The healthcare providers will explain everything clearly and answer any questions you have. They’ll also get your permission for each step of the process, so you’re always in control. 

They’ll want to create a safe and supportive environment for you. This means complete privacy and respect. They’ll explain everything they’re doing and why, and sometimes a female staff member might be present during a male examiner’s evaluation to make sure you feel comfortable. 

The nurse might ask some sensitive questions about the assault, like what kind of injuries you have or if any weapons were involved. 

They might also ask about the attacker, but you should only share what you feel comfortable with. There’s no pressure to disclose anything you’re not ready to talk about. 

They’ll also do a thorough check-up to see if you have any injuries. This might involve examining your mouth, breasts, genitals, and rectum. They might use special tools to get a closer look, but again, you can always say no to any part of the exam that you’re not comfortable with. 

There are also some routine tests they’ll do to check your health, like a pregnancy test and tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

It’s important to remember that these tests might only catch infections you already had, not ones you might have contracted during the assault. They might schedule some follow-up tests later on, just to be safe. 

If you decide to press charges, they can collect evidence using a special kit. This might include things like swabs, hair samples, your clothes, and even fingernail clippings. 

The sooner you get medical attention, the better the chance of collecting good evidence. Everything will be carefully stored and documented so it can be used in court. 

*This is a collaborative post