I have been sexually assaulted

It is important that you look after yourself both physically and emotionally, seeking medical advice and help if needed and talking to someone you trust about how you feel. One of the things people consider following a sexual assault is whether to report this to the police. Only you can make the choice whether to report to the police or not.

You may be in shock and feel like shutting down, sleeping or showering. The Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service can guide you and support you on what to do, in total confidence, in an impartial and non-judgmental way.

The ISVA service will help you to manage the immediate emotional impact of what has happened and talk through with you what would happen if you choose to report the assault to the police and support you throughout that process if you require them to.

The ISVA is available in office hours Mon - Fri and can be contacted on 023 8063 6312.

Treetops, is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, based in Cosham. Treetops can offer support, including a Forensic Medical Examination, by a specialist female doctor. This examination will be carried out as sympathetically as possible, and can be undertaken - WHETHER THE POLICE ARE INVOLVED OR NOT. This allows you to have some thinking time to decide whether you wish to involve the police. We know that when someone is in shock and trying to make sense of what has happened, it is difficult to make these decisions.

Treetops telephone number is 023 9221 0352 and are available 7 days a week, 8am to 6pm.

If you do wish to report what has happened to the police call 999 as soon as possible. There are specialist police officers called SOITs (Sexual Offences Investigation Trained) who have a duty of care to you and will be assigned to support you to make a disclosure in the most sensitive way they can.

In order for the best possible evidence to be achieved, it is best not to change your clothes and although you will have a naturally strong desire to - do not shower or wash, or wash the clothes you were wearing, or the bedding etc.

Please remember, you can use our helpline number on the following days:

Helpline 02380 636313

  • Sunday: 19:00 - 22:00 (staffed by female counsellors)
  • Tuesday: 10:00 - 13:00 (staffed by male or female counsellors)
  • Thursday: 13:00 - 16:00 (staffed by female counsellors)