Help after rape and sexual assault

We hope you never need this information, however we want it available for anyone who needs it. Please note, this content may be distressing for some people.

Help after rape and sexual assault

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.

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.

The NHS has detailed selection of information you can access here:

Important things to know

Important things to know:

• Sexual assault and abuse can happen to anyone. It may be a single event or happen repeatedly.
• Sexual assault referral centres – or SARCs – provide a safe space and dedicated care, through the NHS, for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused.
• Sexual assault referral centres are here for everyone, regardless of when the incident happened.
• Services are available across the country and offer specialist practical, medical and emotional support 24/7.
• You can contact a sexual assault referral centre to make an appointment, you can ask us, or you can ask someone else, such as a healthcare professional, charity, friend or family member to do this for you.
• It doesn’t matter when it happened and whether you choose to involve the police or not, support is available to everyone.
• Sexual assault referral centres also have forensic medical examination facilities, should you wish to report the assault to the police or are considering doing this, once you’ve had time to consider your options.

Where to get help: Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs)

In the first instance, please contact the Police or the Plymouth Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), which covers the Plymouth area. Their helpline number is 0300 303 4626.

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

SARCs are located across the country and available for everyone, regardless of gender, age, the type of incident, or when it happened.

SARCs offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception and testing for STIs. They can also arrange access to an independent sexual assault advisor (ISVA), as well as referrals to mental health support and sexual violence support services.

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.

If you decide to report the assault to the police, specially trained advisors can support you through the criminal justice system. They can also support you through the trial if the case goes to court. Forensic medical examinations can be arranged, even if you have not decided if you want to report the assault.

A short animation explaining the role of sexual assault referral centres in supporting victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

Other places you can get help

• a doctor or other clinician at your GP surgery
• a voluntary organisation, such as Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust or Male Survivors Partnership
• the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247
• the rape and sexual abuse support line run by Rape Crisis England and Wales – 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)
• a hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department
• a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic
• Sexual Health in Plymouth (SHiP)
• a contraceptive clinic
• a young people’s service
• Plymouth SARC Children and Young People service
• call NHS 111 or get help from 111 online
• the police, or dial 101
• in an emergency, dial 999

If you have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and don’t know where to turn, turn to us. We are here. If we can’t help, we can direct you to someone who can.