Physical Assault

Home care

These tips may help at home:

• If you have any new symptoms, call your doctor. Being upset, stressed, or shocked may prevent you from noticing any pain or injury. 

• Follow your doctor's advice about the care of any injuries you have. To help ease swelling and pain for the first day or two, put an ice pack on the injured, bruised area for up to 20 minutes. Do this as often as directed. You can make an ice pack by filling a plastic bag that seals at the top with ice cubes. Wrap the bag with a clean, thin towel. Never put an ice pack directly on the skin.

• Don’t isolate yourself. Think about having someone you feel safe with stay with you for a few days. Talk to friends or family about how you feel. For the next few days, you might stay with family or a friend for support and to help you feel safe.

• If family and friends cause you more stress (even if they don't intend to), ask the victim's advocate for the name of a crisis counselor. Short-term emotional support can be very helpful. 

If the person who hurt you is your partner or spouse, it's vital to make a safety plan. Have it made ahead of time. When you are in the middle of a violent encounter, it's very hard to think clearly. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (see Resources below) can help you develop a plan that meets your personal situation. A safety plan may include:

• A special sign to alert neighbors or your children to call 911. For example, you could have a certain position for curtains or a window blind.

• A list of family, friends, or shelters where you can go any time of the day.

• A plan of what rooms to stay out of if violence gets worse. For example, stay out of rooms where weapons are kept.

• An emergency escape kit kept in a safe place outside your home. This kit might contain: 

  • Identification (Social Security numbers, birth certificates, photo identification, passports, and visa).

  • Important documents (marriage license, divorce papers, custody papers, and health insurance).

  • Duplicate keys (car, home, and safety deposit box).

  • Telephone numbers and addresses.

  • Cash.

  • A one-month supply of medicines.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your counselor or doctor, or as advised.

Resources

Find out local resources or refer to the links below for more information:

• National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) at www.victimsofcrime.org . Offers victim services, referrals, articles on victim’s issues, safety plan help, and other resources.

• National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) at www.trynova.org or 800-879-6682. Has articles on victim’s issues, provides victim assistance, and coordinates the National Crime Victim Information and Referral Hotline.  

• National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.thehotline.org or 800-799-7233 (TTY 800-787-3224) or text START to 88788. Offers 24/7 support and local shelter referrals in over 170 languages. An online chat choice is available.

When to get medical advice

Contact your doctor right away if your symptoms get worse or you have any new symptoms. These include:

• Headache.

• Neck, back, belly, arm, or leg pain.

• Trouble swallowing.

• Problems with swallowing or talking or changes in your voice.

• Repeated vomiting.

• Dizziness.

• Increasing pain, redness, swelling, or oozing of a wound.

• Vaginal or rectal discharge or unexpected bleeding.

• Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.

• Panic attacks.

• Severe anxiety.

• Thoughts of harming yourself. Call or text 988. You will be connected to trained crisis counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. An online chat choice is also available at https://988lifeline.org/. You can also call Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Lifeline is free and available 24/7.

If you are pregnant, call your doctor if any of the following occur:

• You have contractions.

• You have vaginal bleeding or your water breaks.

• You feel a decrease in your baby’s movement or any other unusual changes.

Call 911

Call 911 or get medical care right away if any of the following occur:

• Trouble breathing or increasing chest pain

• Fainting or passing out

• Seizures

• Sudden new problems with speech, walking, coordination, facial droop, or weakness or numbness on one side of your body

• Very hard time staying awake (very sleepy)

• Confusion, behavior or speech changes, or memory loss

• Blurred or double vision