All About: Help after rape or sexual assault

'Sexual assault’ is a term often used to describe any kind of sexual violence or activity (including online) that was unwanted or involved one or more of the following: pressure, manipulation, bullying, intimidation, threats, deception and/or force.

Some important things to remember about sexual assault are:

• It can happen to anyone regardless of their age or gender.
• It does not always leave visible injuries.
• It does not have to involve physical violence or weapons.
• It can be perpetrated by a stranger or someone that the person knows or trusts like a partner or ex-partner, family member, friend, teacher, or colleague.

There are services that can help if you've been sexually assaulted, raped or abused. You don't have to report the assault to the police if you don't want to. You may need time to think about what has happened to you.

But you should get medical help for any injuries and because you may be at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you want the crime to be investigated, it's best to have a forensic medical examination as soon as possible.

Where to get help

After experiencing sexual assault or rape it can be hard to know what to do next. There are services locally and nationally that can support you, whether it happened recently, in the past, or if you're not sure what happened. 

Sexual assault referral centres

Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. SARCs have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you.

If you are thinking about reporting an assault to the police, the centre can arrange for you to speak to a specially trained police officer who can explain the next steps.

You can get help from a SARC by booking an appointment with your nearest one.

Other places you can get help include:

• a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery
• a hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department
• a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic
• a contraceptive clinic
• a young people's service
• call NHS 111 or get help from 111 online
• the police, or dial 101

In an emergency you should always call 999.

Learn more about sexual assualt referral centres

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line

No matter when or where it happened, you can contact Rape Crisis at any time, day or night, all year round, on 0808 500 2222.

This service is for people aged 16 or over.

Visist the Support Line website

Galop

Talking about abuse and violence can be difficult enough, without worrying that your identity, relationships, or what happened to you might be questioned or misunderstood. Galop offers a national helpline for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence on 0800 999 542.

Visit the Galop website

Victim Support

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.

Get in touch anytime for independent, free, and confidential advice:

• Call Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111
• Text Relay: use the Relay UK app or contact us in BSL
• Start a live chat

Visit the Victim Support website

Women's Aid

Women's Aid support women experiencing domestic abuse, including a forum to speak with other women in a supportive communitiy of domestic abuse survivors, information about domestic abuse and guidance on seeking support, and a support and telephone advocacy service. 

Visit the Women's Aid website