Sexual assault

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that a person did not consent to. If you have been sexually assaulted, it's important to remember that it's not your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens.

Help and support

There are confidential services that can help if you've been sexually assaulted, raped or abused. This may include the police, a sexual assault referral centre (SARC), sexual health services, and Rape Crisis.

You should get medical help for any injuries. You may be at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

If you get help straight after the assault, try not to wash or change your clothes. This may destroy evidence that could be important if you decide to report it to the police. You can still go to the police if you have washed.

You can self-refer to a sexual assault referral centre (SARC) without involving the police first. 

For more information and support, please visit The Angel Centre SARC.

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.

Our service

We can see you in our sexual health clinics. It doesn't matter if you have spoken to the police or not.

We can give you emergency and ongoing contraception. We will offer you screening for sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B vaccinations.

We will assess your risk of HIV. We may offer you a course of HIV drugs to reduce the risk of transmission.

We do not perform forensic examinations to collect evidence. But we can help to organise this for you.

Need help urgently?

If you are in danger or need immediate medical attention, please call 999.

For patients in a mental health crisis or who are suicidal, please call 999 immediately. 

For urgent medical or mental health advice, please call 111.