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Help and support following sexual assault

I have been sexually assaulted, what types of support is available to me?

  • the police, or dial 101
  • in an emergency, dial 999

If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.

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.

You can contact support services yourself, or some organisations will allow someone else to get in touch for you. This could be a friend, family member or a supporting professional.

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.

Try not to wash or change your clothes immediately after a sexual assault. This may destroy forensic evidence that could be important if you decide to report the assault to the police (although you can still go to the police even if you have washed).

Where to get help and support

You can find more information from the following local, across Hampshire and National organisations:

  • call NHS 111 or get help from 111 online
  • a hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department
  • a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery – medical professionals will only report what has happened to the police if you ask them to, or if they believe that someone else (for example a child) might be at risk of harm.
  • Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Services (PARCS) – a specialist counselling and psychotherapy for survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse and rape.
  • Hampton Trust – Breaking the cycle of abuse.
  • Victim Care Hub Hampshire – The Victim Care Hub provides free, confidential support for victims of crime and those impacted by crime who are residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Their aim is to help you cope and recover from the effects of crime, regardless of whether or not you have reported to the police.
  • Rape Crisis – a service for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence – at any point in their life. you can call the helpline on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year)
  • Women’s Aid – provide a wide range of domestic abuse services that include information and support including refuge accommodation, helplines, outreach support, floating support, resettlement support, specialist children and young people services, Domestic Abuse Prevention Advocates and drop-in support.
  • Victim Support – an independent charity that provides free, confidential support to people affected by crime. They offer a range of services, including a 24/7 and 365 support line and live chat function to provide information, advice and signposting.
  • Refuge – provides survivors s of domestic abuse. Their services include safe accommodation, independent advocacy, community outreach, culturally specific support.
  • GUM (genitourinary medicine) or sexual health clinic -provides confidential sexual health services, this includes testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception, and pregnancy testing
  • Safeline – provide a range of specialist independent, practical, and emotional support services to victims of sexual crimes. They have a dedicated service to men and boys across the UK.
  • ManKindUK – a male centred support to people who are over 18 and have been sexually abused or assaulted at any time in their lives. They offer online services to people living in England and Wales and face to face services to those living in Sussex. They welcome non-binary, gender fluid, trans and intersex people.
  • Male Survivors – support for male and non-binary survivors of sexual violence, providing counselling and practical help. They also provide help and support to loved ones and professionals.
  • Yellow Door – offer a wide range of specialist therapeutic, support and prevention services to anyone at risk from or affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence/abuse or other forms of interpersonal harm. All services are open to residents in Southampton, with some services available to residents in other parts of Hampshire including Eastleigh and New Forest.  Their ISVA service is provided across Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth.
  • Galop (LGBT+) – their team has decades of experience in supporting LGBT+ people who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, so-called conversion therapies, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse.
  • Stonewall (LBGT+) – stand with, and fight for, the freedom, equity and potential of all LGBTQ+ people.
  • Imkaan (Ethnic Minorities) – although this is not a direct service provider, they provide support, and work closely with, frontline organisations dedicated to offering the deserved support.
  • Breaking the Silence (male survivors Asian, African and African-Caribbean origin) – provide a completely confidential service (see our Confidentiality Policy) for men of Asian, African and African-Caribbean origin, aged 13 and over. Our experienced counsellors are qualified in a range of therapies.
  • Traveller Movement – dedicated services for domestic abuse and VAWG to Irish Traveller women.
  • Hampshire Rape and Sexual Assault Counselling – a directory of services offered across Hampshire
  • Its Never Too Late – a confidential, specialist counselling and support service for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse and/or sexual assault, resulting in sexual trauma. The services are offered to everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, cultural or religious background.
  • Sexual Trauma and Recovery (STAR) – a counselling service working across the South of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with people who have experienced recent or non-recent rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse . They are  an inclusive team offering one-to-one counselling at their dedicated counselling centres in Portsmouth and Fareham, and also virtual counselling or via phone.
  • New Pathways – a specialist support for adults, children and young people who have been affected by rape, sexual assault or abuse.  Face to face, online and telephone contact available.
  • You can also access counselling and talking therapies from the NHS.

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.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) – SARC can offer confidential medical and practical support to people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. You do not need to report to the police to visit a SARC.

At a SARC, you can:

  • get a forensic medical examination to collect evidence
  • get medical help for any injuries
  • get free pregnancy and STI tests
  • practical support and information
  • emotional and peer support
  • counselling/and or therapy
  • advocacy services to help you navigate the criminal justice system

You can choose to have any forensic evidence stored in case you decide to report to the police in the future. Some SARCs can take and keep forensic evidence safely for several years if you ask them to. Any evidence that is collected will only be given to the police if you decide to report the crime.

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

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight SARC – https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/sarc

There are many types of support available. You can contact a service that feels right for you:

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) – An ISVA will offer you independent practical and emotional support and will work with other organisations to make sure you get the help you need. This could include health or housing support.

You do not have to report your experience to the police to get support from an ISVA.

They will also be able to give you information about the police, Crown Prosecution Service and court processes if you choose to report.

You can ask the police to refer you to an ISVA service.

While ISVAs can provide emotional support, they are not counsellors or therapists.

Having a medical examination at a SARC

NHS video about what happens at a SARC (YouTube)

You can access support services by phone, online and face-to-face.

Someone I know has been sexually assaulted, how can I support them?

If someone you know has been sexually assaulted, it can be a very distressing and confusing time for you both, but you can help to support the person who has been assaulted by:

  • explaining what their options are and what happens next
  • accompanying them to the SARC Treetops across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. (sexual assault referral centre) or police station nearest to them
  • helping them to feel safe
  • listening to them and supporting them through the recovery process

If they want to report to the police – and the crime happened less than 10 days ago – call 101 or 999. A specially trained officer will speak to you and to them about what has happened and will arrange for them to come to the SARC Treetops where a doctor or nurse will check that they are OK and to look for forensic evidence. They need to do this as soon as the feel able to after the assault because forensic evidence becomes less reliable over time and cannot be used after 10 days.

They should try not to wash. They can still be examined if they have washed, but there will be more DNA evidence on their body if they feel able to wait until after an examination. Private showers and toiletries are available on site.

If they are unsure or need more time to decide about reporting to the police, a specially trained staff member from the SARC Treetops can explain what to do next and offer support and guidance. Call the local team on 0300 1236616. They can arrange for a doctor or nurse to examine them and check that they are OK, emergency contraception is also available. You can accompany them throughout the process if it helps. They can also look for, and store, forensic evidence in case they decide to report to the police later.

This is entirely their choice and they shouldn’t feel pressured. They can decide to prosecute at a later date but staff can only gather DNA evidence up to 7 days after the assault.

If they want to report to the police and it is more than 10 days after the crime has been committed, you can help and support the person by explaining what their options are and accompanying them to the nearest police station to them. Ten days is the longest time that forensic evidence can reliably survive. After this time, SARCS Treetops can still help with sexual health care, counselling, advice and support but will not be able to gather forensic evidence.

Call 101 or 999. A specially trained officer will speak to you and them about what has happened and will arrange for an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) to support and guide them through the process. Unfortunately forensic DNA evidence cannot be collected after 10 days but they can still provide them with advice regarding sexual health, contraception, counselling and support.

If they are unsure or don’t want to report to the police, and they or you need help immediately, call SARC Treetops on 0300 1236616 or email them securely at admin.treetops@solent.nhs.uk  If it is not immediate, fill out the referral form for a call back 24/7. They can give advice on sexual heath, contraception, counselling and support.