Recent Rape & Sexual Assault

Have you just been raped or sexually assaulted?

The first thing to do if you have just been raped or sexually assaulted is to make sure that you are in a safe place.  You are probably still in shock so try to remain calm.

Secondly, remember that however you feel, you are not to blame.  You are not alone, there are people who can help you.  

 

There are several things you can do.

  • Understand that this was not your fault. There was nothing you could have done to prevent the assault.  Nothing you did gave anyone the right to do this.  The fault lies entirely with the person who raped sexually assaulted you.
     
  • Talk to someone about what has happened.  You can call the helpline (0808 802 99 99), or contact your nearest Rape Crisis Centre  
     
  • Or talk to a friend or family member, someone you trust to support you. Ideally this person will come with you if you decide to do any of the following (alternatively, your local Rape Crisis Centre may be able to arrange someone to go with you).
     
  • Get medical help from your nearest Haven. The Havens are specialist centres based in NHS hospitals in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted .  The Havens work with women, men and young people. They are open 24 hours and will give you confidential advice and help.  To attend one of the Havens you will need to phone and make an appointment first.  If you call the police, they can arrange the appointment at the Havens and accompany you there. A specially trained officer will look after you.  When you arrive for your appointment you will speak to a crisis worker and a specially trained doctor.  All of these doctors are female.  Your doctor and crisis worker may offer you the option of having a forensic examination if this is appropriate. You only do this if you want to – it is totally voluntary.  The examinations are used to collect evidence about what happened in the attack and about your assailant, such as the DNA of the man who attacked you.  This could be used by the police as evidence if you decide you want to report the attack. If you are unsure, they can store the evidence in case you decide that you want to report it at a later date .  

    If you do not want to have an examination you  may still wish to contact a Haven  to talk to someone about how you are feeling and how the rape has affected you.  A trauma such as rape can have long lasting effects and support from our centres will help you to decide what is best for you to help you recover. Their highly trained staff will  also be able to give you advice on emergency contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STI's). If you are worried about HIV or Aids and would like more information please visit: www.rapecrisis.org.uk/hiv
     

  • Report the attack to the police.  The Metropolitan Police’s dedicated Sapphire Units have specially trained officers, many of them female, who help women who have been raped or sexually assaulted.  If you go to the police, at this stage you will give them an initial statement.  This is so they can begin looking for and arresting the man who attacked you and gathering evidence like CCTV recordings and witness evidence. If you have not already been to a Haven, the police will take you there (to be examined if you agree) and take you home afterwards.  

 

If you decide to report the attack, these are the things to do to save the evidence:

Keep the clothes you were wearing during the attack and don’t wash them.  You could put them in a bin bag and tie them up

  • Don’t wash, shower or brush your teeth (even though you will probably desperately want to)
  • Try not to have a cigarette, or eat or drink anything
  • Don’t tidy up if the attack happened in the place where you are now
  • Take a spare outfit to change into after the visit to the Haven – your clothes may be taken as evidence
  • Take someone you trust with you
  • Give as much information as you can to the police even if you were taking recreational drugs or you had lots to drink: you are not going to be prosecuted for this.  They are only interested in catching the man who attacked you.
     

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Group Rape

Group rape (also known as gang rape) is the rape of a woman by more than one man at the same time.  

Group rapes are often very carefully planned by the attackers and can be extremely violent.  The woman is usually intimidated during and after the rape with humiliating language and threats. Threats of further violence are also commonly used to persuade you not to tell anyone about the attack. The attackers may be relatives, friends, acquaintances or complete strangers.

Sometimes women feel pressurised to do sexual things they don't want by their partner. If he or anyone tries to persuade you to carry out sexual acts on them or their friends, or do anything you dont feel comfortable with, this is not ok.  

If you need information, counselling or support of any kind to help you deal with a rape or sexual assault, please contact us. 

Please note that Rape Crisis Centres are not open 24 hours a day. When this service is unavailable, youcan call your nearest Haven centre.