PEP after sexual assault
in Nigeria: what you need to know.
Sexual assault survivors in Nigeria are entitled to PEP. Here is clear, calm guidance on what it is, why it matters, how to access it quickly, and the full range of care available to you.
⏳ PEP must be started within 72 hours. If you are in that window, getting medication is the priority. Access PEP Now →
If you have experienced sexual assault and are reading this, the first thing to say is that you did nothing wrong. What happened to you was not your fault. You deserve care, and you deserve accurate information about protecting your health — without judgement, without unnecessary questions, and without delay.
This article is written specifically for survivors in Nigeria. It covers HIV prevention through PEP, the broader medical care available after sexual assault, and how to access support — even if you are not ready to make a formal report to the police or anyone else.
Why PEP matters after sexual assault.
Sexual assault can involve direct HIV exposure. Forced penetration — vaginal or anal — carries a meaningful HIV transmission risk, particularly when the assailant’s HIV status is unknown and violence increases the risk of tissue injury that facilitates transmission. This is not meant to add to your fear — it is information you need to protect yourself.
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication that, when started within 72 hours of a possible HIV exposure, is highly effective at preventing HIV from establishing infection in your body. In the context of sexual assault, PEP is not optional extra care — it is a standard part of the medical response that you are entitled to receive.
The World Health Organization, Nigerian clinical guidelines, and Zivoko’s own pharmacists all support PEP being offered to every survivor of sexual assault where there has been any possible HIV exposure, without requiring the survivor to prove or justify the assault.
What to do in the hours after an assault.
The period immediately after an assault is overwhelming. The following steps are listed in order of medical priority. You do not have to do all of them right now, and you do not have to do them alone — but the ones related to HIV and physical injury are time-sensitive.
Get to a safe place
Your immediate physical safety comes first. Get away from the assailant if you have not already, and reach someone you trust — a friend, family member, or a trusted adult.
Do not wash, change, or douche yet if you may report
If you are considering reporting the assault to the police or a hospital, try not to wash, bathe, or change your clothes before being seen, as this can preserve forensic evidence. If you have already done so, this does not prevent you from reporting — it simply affects what evidence may be available.
If you are not planning to report, there is no medical reason to avoid washing. Your comfort matters.
Access PEP — this is the most time-critical medical step
Whether or not you go to a hospital, whether or not you report the assault, and regardless of how you feel right now — accessing PEP within 72 hours is the most important thing you can do for your HIV prevention. The window does not extend for any reason.
You can order PEP through Zivoko on WhatsApp right now. You do not need to explain the full circumstances if you do not want to. You simply need to confirm when the exposure occurred so we can confirm you are within the window. Message us here.
Seek medical care at a hospital if you are able to
A hospital emergency unit or dedicated sexual assault referral centre can provide a broader package of care: forensic examination (if you choose to report), treatment for physical injuries, emergency contraception if relevant, STI screening and treatment, hepatitis B prophylaxis, and referral to a counsellor or social worker. You do not have to report to the police to access medical care at a hospital. Medical care is your right regardless of whether you report.
Reach out for emotional support when you are ready
The emotional aftermath of sexual assault is significant and deserves professional attention. Counsellors, psychologists, social workers, and peer support organisations are available in Nigeria. You do not have to manage this alone, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Accessing care without making a police report.
In Nigeria, many survivors of sexual assault do not report to the police — for reasons including fear of not being believed, concern about stigma, cultural and family pressure, or simply the emotional reality of what they have been through. This is understood. You are not obligated to report in order to receive medical care, including PEP.
Zivoko’s pharmacists will not ask you to prove what happened or provide a police report. If you are within the 72-hour window and need PEP, that is sufficient. Medical care at hospitals is similarly available without a formal police report, though individual staff attitudes vary — if you encounter resistance, ask to speak with the senior doctor, nurse, or social worker on duty, or contact us for guidance.
Your right to healthcare is not conditional on your willingness to report a crime.
Organisations that support sexual assault survivors.
Mirabel Centre — Lagos
Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre, located at Lagos Island General Hospital. Provides free medical care, forensic evidence collection, counselling, and legal support for survivors. Available 24 hours. No requirement to report to police to access services.
WARIF — Women At Risk International Foundation
Based in Lagos, WARIF provides a 24-hour helpline, crisis response, medical care coordination, psychosocial support, and legal assistance for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Helpline: 0800-9274-3669 (free, 24 hours).
Project Alert Nigeria — Lagos
Provides counselling, legal assistance, safe accommodation, and advocacy for survivors of gender-based violence. Reaches survivors in Lagos and across the Southwest.
Teaching Hospital Sexual Violence Units
Several teaching hospitals across Nigeria have dedicated units or protocols for sexual violence survivors, including LUTH (Lagos), University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and UCH Ibadan. Ask for the social welfare unit or the gynaecology emergency team on arrival.
Taking PEP during recovery.
Starting and completing a 28-day PEP course while recovering from sexual assault is genuinely difficult. The psychological weight of the trauma, possible physical injuries, disrupted sleep, and anxiety can all make it harder to stay consistent with daily medication.
A few things that help: setting a daily phone alarm at a fixed time, taking the tablet with food to reduce nausea, and having a trusted person — a friend, relative, or counsellor — who knows you are on medication and can remind you if needed (without necessarily knowing why, if you prefer).
If you experience significant side effects that feel unmanageable given everything else you are carrying, contact your Zivoko pharmacist. There are adjustments that can help. Do not stop PEP without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor first — even when things feel very hard.
If you miss a dose, follow the standard guidance: take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is less than four hours away. Never double up. Message your pharmacist if you are unsure.
Questions about PEP after sexual assault.
QDo I have to tell Zivoko it was a sexual assault to get PEP?
No. You are not required to disclose the nature of your exposure to receive PEP. The only information our pharmacists need is the approximate time of the exposure (to confirm you are within the 72-hour window) and a brief description of the type of contact that occurred. You do not need to use the word assault, provide details of what happened, or share anything that feels unsafe to share.
If you choose to share more context, we will receive it with complete discretion and compassion. But it is not a requirement.
QWhat if more than 72 hours have passed since the assault?
If more than 72 hours have passed since the assault, PEP is no longer clinically recommended for HIV prevention — it will not be effective. This is genuinely difficult to hear, and we want to acknowledge that. The most important steps now are an HIV test at 4–6 weeks after the assault, and again at 90 days. A doctor or nurse can also assess you for STIs and provide treatment where needed.
Please still seek care. Physical injuries, STI screening, emergency contraception if relevant, and emotional support are all available and important regardless of the PEP window. Contact the organisations listed in this article or message Zivoko for guidance on where to go.
QWill I be judged or treated badly if I go to a hospital after a sexual assault?
Unfortunately, attitudes among healthcare staff vary in Nigeria. Some hospitals — particularly those with dedicated sexual assault response units like the Mirabel Centre — have trained, compassionate staff who will treat you with dignity and professionalism. At general hospitals, experience can be more variable.
If you are treated poorly, you have the right to ask for a different nurse or doctor, to ask to speak to the social welfare officer on duty, or to leave and seek care elsewhere. You deserve respectful care. WARIF and the Mirabel Centre can advocate for you if needed.
Ordering PEP through Zivoko on WhatsApp avoids the hospital environment entirely for the purpose of HIV prevention — our pharmacists will treat you with full professionalism and complete discretion.
QIs emergency contraception separate from PEP?
Yes. PEP prevents HIV only. Emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is a completely separate medication that prevents pregnancy. If pregnancy prevention is a concern following a sexual assault, emergency contraception is most effective when taken within 72 hours of the assault, with the first 24 hours being most effective.
Emergency contraception (such as Postinor-2 or Levonorgestrel) is available at pharmacies across Nigeria without a prescription. A doctor or nurse at a hospital can also provide it as part of a comprehensive post-assault care package. Both PEP and emergency contraception can be taken at the same time without interaction.
You deserve care. You deserve protection. You deserve to be treated with dignity.
If you need PEP right now and are within 72 hours of an assault, message Zivoko on WhatsApp. Our pharmacists are available around the clock. You do not need to explain more than you are comfortable sharing. We will take it from there.
Access PEP Discreetly →What happened was not your fault. Protecting your health is a right, not a reward for reporting.
Access PEP, access care, and reach out to support — at whatever pace feels right for you.
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