Information and options to consider if you have been sexually assaulted or raped recently.

Your safety

If in danger call: 999

If the attack has just happened make sure you go to a safe place, and call somebody to support you who you feel safe with. If you are at risk of attack again you need to think about your safety.

Do you have physical injuries?

If you have physical injuries, you may need to go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department. If you know somebody who will support you, ask them to take you. Accident and emergency will not contact the police unless you ask them to.

Bridge House SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre)

The SARC offers 24/7 access to crisis worker support and specialist clinical and forensic care.

Adults can self-refer to the SARC or be referred via other professionals with no involvement of the Police or they can access the SARC via the Police.

They offer:

• Support and guidance following the incident
• A medical assessment
• A forensic examination
• Emergency contraception
• Referrals on to other support services/agencies
• Safeguarding intervention
• Aftercare materials

Tel: 0330 223 0362
Email: bridgehouse.sarc@nhs.net

Reporting to the police?

Nobody can tell you whether you should or should not report the attack to the police. This has to be your own decision.

If you want to report to the police, it is a good idea to preserve the forensic evidence on your clothes and body and call the North Yorkshire police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Forensic and medical evidence is best collected soon after the attack but some evidence may still be found up to 7 days later.

To preserve evidence:

• Do not wash
• Do not eat or drink
• Do not change your clothes, or if you do, put them in a clean carrier bag to hand to the police
• Do not go to the toilet
• Do not clean up anything from the area of the incident
• Do not brush your teeth or have a cigarette

When you call the Police, they will come out to see you to take an initial statement before taking you to a discreet centre equipped to collect evidence (SARC), with crisis workers and forensic nurse examiners trained specifically for the role who will also provide emergency medical help. Specially trained officers will support you through this process, and arrange to take statements from you.

A full list of SARC’s in England and Wales can be found at www.nhs.uk

Sexual health and risk of pregnancy

For emergency contraception, and help with avoiding the development of sexually transmitted diseases/infections and HIV, it is a good idea to attend your local sexual health clinic.

For a full list of clinics in North Yorkshire and helpful information go to the sexual health website www.yorsexualhealth.org.uk.

The morning-after pill can also be obtained from a chemist or GP.

Reporting Historic Abuse

The Police are still interested in historical abuse. If you want to report historical or recent abuse they will follow up any information you give them. Call 101 and the police will arrange when to meet you. It is also possible for you to alert social care, in person or anonymously, if you are concerned that the person who abused you may be putting children at risk. Social care has a duty to investigate any information given to them.