Recently assaulted: what should I do?
Information and advice on what you may want to do if you have been recently sexually assaulted.
If you have been recently assaulted (last 7 days):
- Go somewhere where you feel safe.
- You may have injuries that need to be treated by your doctor, a hospital, or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
- If there is a possibility you may be pregnant you can take the morning after pill up to 72 hours after, or if you have the coil fitted then up to five days after. You can get the morning after pill from a chemist, your doctor, a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic or family planning clinic or from the SARC.
- If you are worried about sexually transmitted infections, you can have fully confidential advice and treatment from your nearest GUM clinic or Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
If you want to report at this point:
If you would like to make a report to the police you can go to the SARC to have forensic evidence collected.
- 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 keep them safe in a paper or plastic bag)
- Try not 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. It is also possible to report without this being collected if you do not feel able to go to the SARC.
Useful Links
The latest from our news and blogs
Campaign to include protections for women & girls in the Online Safety Act 2023 (Part 1)
Online violence against women and girls is a striking issue in the UK, with many people largely unaware of the abuse perpetrated online. In the first of three blogs looking at the impact of the Act, SARSAS comms volunteer, Toby, starts by giving an overview of the Act and how an amendment to include protections for women and girls came to be added.
Somatic Therapy: connecting body and mind
Healing from any kind of trauma can be a challenging process. However, there are many techniques that people might find beneficial to explore as part of their healing journey.
Meet our new CEO: Lorri Weaving
We’re delighted to welcome Lorri Weaving as our new CEO. Lorri joined the SARSAS team three and a half years ago as Head of Services.
During this time, she’s been instrumental in helping to develop our service delivery teams, including our counselling, specialist support work and pathway navigation teams, as well as our helpline services.