THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE ASSAULTED

1. Find a safe place

2. Seek a doctor (you can go directly to the Accident & Emergency department at a hospital)

— Ensure you get medical care. Ask the doctor to give you a medical certificate that describes your condition.

— If you are the victim of a sexual assault without a condom, you can obtain emergency contraception (the morning after pill) and

treatment for HIV infection (Post-exposure prophylaxis or TPE). That is the first thing you should do.

3. Conservez les preuves de l’agression

— If it is possible for you, do not wash yourself before you have a medical examination.

— Keep any clothes, towels, jewellery and accessories you had with you when you were assaulted in a paper bag, and keep it away from moisture. These items can be used as evidence and help identify the person who assaulted you.

— If you do not wish to see a doctor, take photos of yourself showing evidence of the assault, and include your face in the pictures.

4. Request a note from the doctor for a leave of absence from work and a medical certificate indicating the number of days you need to be away

— The total inability to work (ITT) period is the time you are not able to live normally because you are unable to carry out normal activities (eating, dressing, washing, combing your hair, driving a car, doing your shopping etc.).

5. Ask any witnesses for their contact details and write them down

6. Write down as many details as possible that will help identify the attacker

– When? Where? Who? How?

— A physical description of the attacker with as much detail as possible, including scars, tattoos, if there is a car: number plate, colour, model etc.

7. Submit the report on the Jasmine website

Jasmine is a programme designed to reduce violence against sex workers while they are at work. It is there to provide support and report attackers. The service is available online (projet-jasmine.org). If you want to register, you need to be sponsored by a colleague or an association.

8. Report the incident to the police if you wish

It is not obligatory to report a violent assault to the police immediately afterwards; you can go to any police station or gendarmerie when you feel ready. The following is against the law: rape and sexual assault; being employed by someone who takes money from your clients on your behalf; threats or violence; theft; the destruction of your identity card or travel documents.

9. Contact SWAG (Sex Worker Autodefensa Group)

for support. On Instagram: @asso_swag and/or by email : contact.the.swag@gmail.com