Any form of rape, sexual assault or abuse is unacceptable. If you have suffered in this way it is not your fault. Help is available.
Sexual violence can take many forms; they are all considered a crime. The government guidelines include a list of sexual acts ranging from rape to revenge porn. Whether the person involved is a child, or an adult, if they did not consent to the act, then it is a crime.
Support for victims of sexual violence and abuse - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You may, or may not, wish to report the assault to the police but you can get medical help straight away. You may be at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. If you do want the crime to be investigated by the police, the sooner they get forensic evidence the better. The police may ask you not to wash yourself, or your clothes, to preserve the forensic evidence.
Where to go for Help
You can get help from a sexual assault referral centre (SARC). These are facilities where you can get confidential medical, emotional and practical support from trained professionals. You can find the closest SARC to you on the NHS website by searching your location.
Find a rape and sexual assault referral centre - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
You can also speak to your GP, call NHS 111, go to A&E or a walk-in centre.
Charities Offering Support
There are a number of charities offering support after rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse. You can contact any of them you feel comfortable speaking to:
Rape Crisis has a 24-hour help line on 0808 500 2222 or details on their website Get help after rape or sexual assault | Rape Crisis England & Wales
Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline offering another free 24-hour number 0808 2000 247. Homepage - National Domestic Abuse Helpline (nationaldahelpline.org.uk)
There is also The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK
The Male Survivors Partnership
MSP - The Male Survivors Partnership
Or Victim Support
Victim Support
Reporting a Rape or Sexual Assault to the Police
If you decide to report the crime to the police you can do this in person, on the phone, or online. The police will then arrange for a specially trained officer to speak to you. Depending on how long ago the crime happened the police may arrange a forensic medical examination. The police will also take your statement, which is usually done during a video recorded interview.
The police will pass all their evidence to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) who will decide whether to press charges, and if so, what those charges will be.
Making a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claim
Once you have reported the crime to the police you may be able to make a CICA claim.
What is the CICA? | Winston Solicitors UK
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme allows victims of violent crimes to apply for compensation. Although the definition of a sexual offence has expanded to include online abuse and acts such as voyeurism and revenge porn the compensation scheme is still limited to direct acts of sexual physical violence.
You can find out more about criminal injury claims from Winston Solicitors’ website at 5 top tips when claiming for sexual assault | Winston Solicitors or you can call and speak to one of our specialists on 0113 320 5000 or email cica@winstonsolicitors.co.uk
