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What sexual assault support means
Sexual assault support is help for anyone who has experienced unwanted sexual contact, threats, coercion, or abuse. It can include emotional support, medical care, forensic evidence collection, counselling, and help understanding your rights.
Support is available whether the assault happened recently or some time ago. You do not need to report to the police first to get help.
Support from the police
The police can help you report the assault, record what happened, and investigate the crime. They should treat you with care and explain what will happen next in clear language.
You can ask for a specially trained officer, and in many areas an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser may be offered. This person can help you understand the process and access other services.
If you are worried about making a report, you can still speak to the police for advice without committing to a full investigation straight away. In some cases, reports can be made anonymously or through third-party services.
Support from the NHS
The NHS can provide urgent medical care after a sexual assault, including treatment for injuries, emergency contraception, and tests for sexually transmitted infections. NHS staff should also help with pain relief and any immediate health concerns.
In many parts of the UK, sexual assault referral centres, often called SARCs, offer specialist care. These centres can provide a forensic medical examination, emotional support, and advice about reporting options.
You can usually attend a SARC without first going to the police. They are designed to support your health and choices, not to pressure you into reporting.
Support from charities and voluntary organisations
Charities can offer confidential emotional support, counselling, helplines, advocacy, and practical guidance. They often help survivors who are not ready to speak to the police or who want ongoing support after the initial crisis.
Some charities specialise in supporting women, men, children, LGBTQ+ people, or people from specific communities. Many can also help with housing, benefits, relationship safety, and referrals to other services.
Charity support is usually free and can be accessed by phone, online, or in person. Services may be local or national, depending on where you live.
How the process usually works
First, you choose the type of help you want, which may be medical care, emotional support, or a police report. You can ask a trusted person to support you if that feels safer.
If you go to the NHS or a SARC, staff will explain your options and ask for your consent before any examination or treatment. If you speak to a charity, they will usually listen, assess your needs, and help you plan next steps.
Support should be led by you. You can stop, ask questions, or change your mind at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sexual assault support from police, the NHS, and charities usually works through separate but connected services. Police can investigate and protect you, the NHS can provide medical care and forensic support, and charities can offer emotional, practical, and advocacy help. You can use one service without using the others.
You can still get support from the NHS and from charities without reporting to the police. Many charities and sexual assault referral services offer confidential help, and you can choose whether or not to involve the police.
The police can take a report, explain your options, investigate the incident, arrange safeguarding, and help with protective measures if needed. They should treat you with sensitivity and keep you informed about the process.
The NHS can provide emergency treatment, sexual health testing, pregnancy-related care, mental health support, and referral to specialist sexual assault services. Some areas also have Sexual Assault Referral Centres that provide medical and forensic care.
Charities can offer counselling, helplines, advocacy, safety planning, and help understanding your rights and options. They often provide support without needing a police report and can help you navigate NHS and criminal justice services.
If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services. If you need urgent medical help, go to the nearest emergency department or call for an ambulance. If you need someone to talk to, a sexual assault charity helpline can often provide immediate guidance.
Yes, many charity services are confidential, and NHS services also handle information sensitively. Police involvement is different because reporting may create a record, but you can ask services about confidentiality before sharing details.
A Sexual Assault Referral Centre can provide a medical examination, forensic evidence collection if you want it, sexual health care, emergency contraception, and referrals for emotional support. You can usually receive care whether or not you choose to report to the police.
No, you do not need evidence to ask for support. NHS and charity services can help regardless of whether you have physical evidence, and the police can still take a report even if evidence is limited.
Yes, children and young people can access support through the police, NHS, and specialist charities. Services should take age, safeguarding, and consent rules into account and may involve specialist child protection teams where needed.
You can seek support as soon as possible, but help is available even if some time has passed. Medical, emotional, and reporting options may still be available, and charities can help you understand what can still be done.
Yes, you can choose to use only NHS services, only charity support, or any combination that feels right for you. You are in control of which services you contact and how far you want to go.
Most support from the NHS and specialist charities is free. Police support is also free to access, although the overall process may involve different services depending on your situation.
You may be offered counselling, crisis support, trauma-informed therapy, or referral to mental health services. Charities often provide immediate emotional support, while the NHS can arrange longer-term treatment if needed.
Yes, you can usually bring a friend, family member, support worker, or advocate, depending on the service and the circumstances. If you are unsure, ask the service in advance what is allowed.
If possible, try not to wash, change clothes, or discard items if you may want forensic evidence collected, but do not worry if you already have. You can still seek help, and services can explain what options remain.
Yes, the NHS can provide emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, sexually transmitted infection testing, and treatment. Charities can help you understand your options and support you through next steps.
Privacy depends on the service. Charities and NHS services generally keep information confidential, while police involvement may require sharing information within the justice process. You can ask each service how your information will be used.
That is okay. You can seek information and support first without making a final decision about reporting or next steps. Many services are designed to help you think through your options at your own pace.
You can contact your local NHS services, search for a nearby Sexual Assault Referral Centre, call a specialist charity helpline, or contact the police if you want to report. Many charities and health services can also refer you to local support.
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