If you have been raped or sexually assaulted you do not have to cope alone
There are many support services which can help you. We know how difficult it is for people to come forward and tell someone.
If you’ve just been raped or sexually assaulted, it is important to consider the possibilities of injury, pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), and whether or not you want to go the police. The amount of support and help you receive at this time can help you to overcome the initial shock and disruption to your life.
If you’ve just been raped or sexually assaulted, it is important to consider the possibilities of injury, pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), and whether or not you want to go the police. The amount of support and help you receive at this time can help you to overcome the initial shock and disruption to your life.
The University has sexual violence trained advisors to support students & staff affected by these forms of abuse. You can request a meeting with one of them if you submit a report with contact details using this platform, or you can book a meeting directly through Student Support and Success.
If you have been sexually assaulted, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. What happened was not your fault. What you do next is your choice.
What to consider:
- Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile)
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere you feel safe. If this isn't possible and you are scared or fearful you can call University Security 24/7 on 01962 827666 (King Alfred Quarter) or 01962 827667 (West Downs Quarter) or call the Police on 999
- Do you have any injuries? If you have any physical symptoms after an assault you should seek medical help. If this is more than a very minor injury, or if you were unconscious for even a short time, you should go to Accident and Emergency or call NHS 24 on 111. If you can, it may be helpful to take a friend or family member with you. It is up to you how much information you provide, but the medical staff will be able to offer you better advice & treatment if they are aware of the circumstances.
- If you do not immediately want to involve the police you can still get medical, emotional and practical help form specialist services at a Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). This specialist service for men and women can offer a forensic medical examination and keep this evidence for you if you choose to involve the police at a later date. They can also help screen for STIs and access emergency contraception and medical care. You can contact them confidentially on 03001236616 (24/7 hour access).
Sexual assault is a crime of power and control. You can get help.
Forensic Evidence
It is a good idea to get forensic evidence gathered, even if you do not want to report the crime to the police right away. Try to get to either the police or (if you do not want them involved yet) to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre within 72 hours if you can and try NOT to:
It is a good idea to get forensic evidence gathered, even if you do not want to report the crime to the police right away. Try to get to either the police or (if you do not want them involved yet) to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre within 72 hours if you can and try NOT to:
- eat or drink
- smoke
- wash
- brush your teeth
- change your clothes
- clean up the place where it happened
This is to preserve as much evidence as possible.
If you have already done some of these things, don't worry. There might still be forensic evidence to collect.
If you do decide to change your clothes, put the ones you were wearing in a clean plastic bag without washing them if you can.
Talking about it
There is no right or wrong way of coping with sexual violence and everyone has their own way of dealing with it. People often expect that after a rape or sexual assault, a survivor will be panic-stricken and emotional, but many remain very calm or even numb. How people cope in the long term varies. This can depend on how long the sexual violence lasted for, how safe they feel in their everyday life , whether they are able to talk to people they trust, or if they have had other support, for example from the University through our student support services (student.advice@winchester.ac.uk) or externally, for instance through Winchester Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (RASAC) on 01962 868688 or 01962 864433 or through Yellowdoor .
Seek out a trusted friend or family member. Talking things through with someone you trust can sometimes help and you may also wish to seek help and longer term support from a variety of different support services - both within or external to the University.
There is no right or wrong way of coping with sexual violence and everyone has their own way of dealing with it. People often expect that after a rape or sexual assault, a survivor will be panic-stricken and emotional, but many remain very calm or even numb. How people cope in the long term varies. This can depend on how long the sexual violence lasted for, how safe they feel in their everyday life , whether they are able to talk to people they trust, or if they have had other support, for example from the University through our student support services (student.advice@winchester.ac.uk) or externally, for instance through Winchester Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (RASAC) on 01962 868688 or 01962 864433 or through Yellowdoor .
Seek out a trusted friend or family member. Talking things through with someone you trust can sometimes help and you may also wish to seek help and longer term support from a variety of different support services - both within or external to the University.
Reporting to the Police
It is your decision if and when you report to the Police, and you may wish to access the information contained via the services outlined above to help you make the decision and to know what to expect. The University would not break any confidentiality unless we considered there was a risk of serious harm to yourself or another.
If you are unsure about whether you want to report to the police but would like to have the option to report in the future you can use the Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Portsmouth for a forensic medical examination by a specialist female doctor/nurse. They’ll take forensic evidence and check for STIs.
The Report and Support team or Student Support and Success can arrange a 'What If?' conversation with Amberstone, the local specialist police sexual violence team, who will outline what would happen next in a "hypothetical" situation.
The Report and Support team or Student Support and Success can arrange a 'What If?' conversation with Amberstone, the local specialist police sexual violence team, who will outline what would happen next in a "hypothetical" situation.
- Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone).
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened try and find somewhere you feel safe.
Report
- Report and Support. Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support platform. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can report with your contact details. If you choose to provide your contact details, an adviser will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence For more information about what happens when a report is submitted, please see the FAQs.
Support for Students
- Student Life Advisers – We have advisers specially trained in receiving reports of sexual violence who can talk through the University's procedures, how to make a complaint and what support is available, in confidence. If you feel your studies have been affected by what has happened they can help explain our extenuating circumstances and support to study procedures.
- Your Faculty SSSA -You can talk to a Faculty Student Support and Success Advisor (SSSA). See my record for contact details. If you feel your studies have been affected by what has happened they can help explain our extenuating circumstances and support to study procedures.
- Student Support and Success -This University service offers support and advice on any issues affecting your student life, with signposting and referral to more specialist services. If you're not sure where to go, this is a good place to start. Find them in the Winton Building on the King Alfred quarter.·
- Residential Support - If you are a student in Halls, there are live-in wardens, residential assistants and 24-hour first-aid trained security as well as police liaison. The team can be an important source of guidance and support for students.
Support for Staff
- Human Resources - If you are a member of staff or manager HR will be able to identify the support that’s available for you.
- University Staff Counselling Service – A confidential and free service offering 1-1 in person and remote sessions for staff who have been affected by any incident or personal challenge within or outside of the University.
- University Carefirst Service – This is the University employee assistance scheme and offers staff telephone and online advice, support and counselling.