When a person is raped or sexually assaulted the effects are likely to last a long time. Don t advise someone to forget it they cant. Be prepared for them to need support or someone to talk to for in the future. So let them know that you are available for them to talk to, when they want to. There are practical consequences of rape.
Pregnancy is a possibility, and so are sexually transmitted diseases, and physical injury.
The decision on whether to report the assault to the Gardai and face a possible court case also has to be considered. Some people find it helps them to regain some control over their lives by tackling these problems themselves. Others are not able to think about them at all. So again, respect the persons feelings, but do remember that tests for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases should be taken quiet soon after the rape and they may need support and encouragement to arrange to have these tests done. When something terrible has happened to someone you are close to it is often very hard to feel that you can really offer him or her any help.