Guidance for students who have been sexually assaulted

If the assault has just occurred, you might want to consider whether you feel safe where you are.

If you or others feel at risk or consider the situation an emergency, please call the police on 999. If you require urgent medical help you should call for an ambulance, also on 999.

If you do not feel at further risk or the situation is not an emergency, but you wish to report the assault to the Police, call 101. 

The University has written further information to help you in deciding what to do next.

Staff at the University are here to help and support you. If the situation is not an emergency, you may want to take some time to think things through or talk to someone you trust. You might want to contact a friend or a member of staff for support.

University staff can provide initial support and signpost you to appropriate specialist support services in the local area and nationally, including those that support the survivors of sexual violence.

You do not need to report the incident to the University or the Police immediately, however, please be aware of the following important time limits which may be relevant to the incident:

• If you suspect you were given any type of drug, it is best to be tested within 24 hours.
• If you think you may have potentially been exposed to HIV then Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) medication should be started ideally within 24 hours or within 72 hours.
• If you want emergency contraception, the medication should be started within 72 hours.
• Forensic evidence can be collected up to 7 days after the assault depending on circumstances.

If you do not wish to go to the police or feel uncertain about reporting the crime you can consider attending a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). They can collect and store forensic evidence while you decide whether or not to report the incident to the police.

If you want forensic evidence to be collected, you should try and go to the SARC straight away if you can, or at least within 72 hours of the rape or assault. Also try, if possible, to take these steps:

• Do not wash
• Do not brush your teeth
• Do not have a cigarette
• Do not eat or drink
• Do not change your clothes
• If you do change your clothes, do not wash them and put them in a clean paper bag
• Try not to go to the toilet
• Do not clear up anything from the area of the incident

Don't worry if you have already done some of these things. It's possible that there is still forensic evidence to collect.

SARCs provide a range of services to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. 

If the incident has just taken place or you are in danger call 999; alternatively, call 101.

Kent Police and Surrey Police have information on their website about reporting sexual assaults. If you decide to report, the Police will support and guide you through the process and will assign a specialist from their Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT).

You may not wish to report it immediately, however, you may decide to report it at a later date. This is perfectly acceptable and there are steps you can take to make this easier.

If you do not wish to go to the police or feel uncertain about reporting the crime you can consider attending a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). 

You will need to contact the SARC in advance to make an appointment.

The SARCs provides a range of services to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. They can offer emotional support, advice on what services are available and they can help refer you to sexual health services.

Your local SARC can talk you through the different options available to you. They can collect and store forensic evidence until you are ready to make a decision on whether to report to the police or not.

Essex

Oakwood Place          

Oakwood Place (located in Brentwood Community Hospital) offers free support and practical help to anyone in Essex who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. The service is completely confidential, and you do not have to give any personal information in order to get help.

Telephone helpline (24/7): +44 (0)1277 240 620

Kent

Beech House               

Beech House SARC offers free support and practical help to anyone in Kent and Medway who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. The service is completely confidential, and you do not have to give any personal information in order to get help.

Telephone helpline (24/7): +44 (0)800 133 7432

Surrey

Surrey Solace Centre             

The Solace Centre offers free support and practical help to anyone in Surrey who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. The service is completely confidential, and you do not have to give any personal information in order to get help.

Telephone helpline (24/7): +44 (0)300 130 3036

Sussex

The Saturn Centre                  

The Saturn Centre SARC offers free support and practical help to anyone in Sussex who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. The service is completely confidential and you do not have to give any personal information in order to get help.

Telephone helpline (24/7): +44 (0)800 033 7797 

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Rape Crisis Centres, like SARCS, also offer an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser and other specialist services. 

Kent 

East Kent Rape Crisis Centre  

Has a specialist student ISVA service offering practical and emotional support and advice specifically for students who are survivors of sexual violence, either recent or historic. The specialist Student ISVAs are there for anyone in education with links to colleges and universities, making the situation easier for those dealing with trauma whilst continuing to study.   

Surrey 

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASAC)

Provides an ISVAs service offering emotional and practical advice and support for people who have experienced rape, sexual abuse or any other type of sexual violence at any time in their lives. The service is open to female and male survivors, aged 13 and over.           

It is up to you to choose what kind of support you want to access, but you might want to consider getting medical attention even if you do not want to report the assault to the Police. 

You can access medical support for injuries or infections from your GP, local hospital, or local Sexual Health Clinic or GUM clinic. 

To find your nearest Sexual Health/GUM clinic:

• Family Planning Association
• Surrey & London Sexual Health
• Kent Sexual Health

However, if you intend to report the sexual assault, please be aware that there is a time window for collection of forensic evidence. The Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC), Rape Crisis or a medical professional can explain this in more detail.

We will respect your confidentiality and information will not be shared beyond the relevant staff without your consent unless you or others are at significant or immediate risk.

We strongly encourage you to tell someone about your experience and seek support.

Support at University

You can talk to any of the following people at University:

• A Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) - email svlo@uca.ac.uk
• Students’ Union - Advice & Wellbeing Coordinator
• Your course leader or tutor
• Gateway (Academic Services): Gateway Services Manager, Student Wellbeing Manager, Specialist Adviser, Counsellor

The SVLOs have been trained to provide initial support and signpost you to appropriate specialist support services in the local area and nationally, including those that support the survivors of sexual violence.

You can find more information on how the SVLOs can support you, details on external organisations and your options via UCA Report + Support. 

Support externally

You can find support from the following external specialist support agencies:

SARCs (available 24/7)

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Rape Crisis 

Rape Crisis offers emotional support, advice and information.

Telephone helpline: +44 (0)808 802 9999

Everyday between 12.00 - 14.30 and 19.00 - 21.30. They also have an online chat helpline available.

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Survivors UK

Survivors provide support for male survivors and anyone who identifies as male, trans, non-binary, has identified as male in the past, or anyone who feels that we are the right fit for them.

Online chat helpline

Every day, 12.00 - 20.00

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Samaritans               

Samaritans offer a 24/7 confidential listening service.

Telephone: 116 123

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Your local GP can also provide medical assistance and support as well as signpost you to other specialist services (such as a Sexual Health Clinic or GUM clinic).

To find your nearest Sexual Health/GUM clinic:

• Family Planning Association
• Surrey & London Sexual Health
• Kent Sexual Health

You can access emergency contraception free from a number of places such as conceptions clinics, GUM clinics, most GP surgeries and most NHS walk-in clinics.  For more information on where you can get emergency contraception visit the NHS website.