Find out how to get help if you have just been sexually assaulted, or fear for the safety of someone else.
Urgent help
The University is intolerant of sexual assault and wants the University to be a safe space for all students and staff.
If you have just been assaulted, feel you are still at risk, think that others may be at risk, or need urgent medical help contact us.
If you do not require emergency treatment, it is best not to call an ambulance. You may decide to go to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre later or go to Accident and Emergency by taxi.
Read through all your options below before you make a decision.
If you are not at further risk
If you are not at further risk:
- find somewhere safe and warm as you may be in shock. If you can, phone a friend to come to you
- don’t drink, eat, wash, smoke, brush your teeth, urinate or change your clothes until you decide what you want to do next
- keep any used condom or bedding in a clean plastic bag.
What to do next
The choices you have in terms of expert support and advice can vary according to the time and place at which the incident occurred. However, you can seek advice from a number of agencies at any time after the incident, even years later – support is not limited to those who choose to make an immediate report. Any decisions made will be yours alone and will be respected.
Reporting an incident to the police
You can report an incident to the police at any time.
If you choose to report an incident of sexual violence to the police, a specially trained officer called a SOLO (Sexual Offence Liaison officer) is likely to be contacted. A SOLO will be able to take mouth and urine samples immediately so that forensic evidence can be preserved and you will be able to eat, drink and go to the toilet without fear of losing such evidence.
A statement will be taken from you at some point and you may be taken to the nearest Sexaul Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The closest to Sussex is The Saturn Centre at Crawley Hospital. There you will be looked after by a Crisis Support Worker and Forensic Medical Officer (doctor who can collect forensic evidence). They recommend that you take a supportive friend with you. Take a change of clothes as they will need the clothes you are wearing. Also take any bedding or used condom if relevant.
You should be aware that although you have called the police, you can opt out of the reporting process at any point without losing the support of the SARC. You should be offered a referral to an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) and a referral for free counselling from a specialist service in Brighton & Hove.
Delaying your report to the police
You may be unsure about making a report to the police, but would like to be able to retain forensic evidence for a future decision. This can be done by a self-referral to our nearest SARC, The Saturn Centre at Crawley Hospital.
If there are signs of a disturbance at the scene, it would be useful if you could take photographs in case you decide to report it to the police at a later date. Remember to keep any relevant clothes, bedding used, condom, text messages or emails.
You can contact an Independent Sexual Advisor (ISVA) in Brighton at any time for support through this process and independent advice. They can be reached on 01273 203380 ext 103 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm or by email at info@survivorsnetwork.org.uk.
Not reporting to the police
If you are sure you do not want to report the incident to the police at any time, then you can still access the support of the SARC services at the Saturn Centre in Crawley Hospital, but you must wait until office hours on a week day (see above). You can choose not to provide forensic evidence but can still receive specialist medical support and be referred to an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) and also for free counselling in Brighton & Hove.
At the weekend or evenings, you can get 24-hour access to the Accident and Emergency department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for the treatment of any injuries.
If you’d like to go somewhere nearer than Crawley, you can access expert support from the SOLAR clinic at SHAC East (formerly the Claude Nicol Centre) in the Out Patients’ department at Royal Sussex County Hospital. The SOLAR clinic offers a confidential, non-judgemental service dedicated to men and women who have experienced sexual assault both recently and historically.
You can book an appointment at The Solar Clinic for support and STI testing as necessary. Those who disclose sexual assault are fast tracked through the clinic and are treated with respect and dignity.
Help and support by phone
The Samaritans are available 24-hours a day to support you through any trauma including sexual assault. Call 08457 909090.
Getting help from the University
To report an incident to the University see our Report + Support tool.
If you decide against contacting the police, and you live in University-managed accommodation on or off campus and need help at night over the weekend, you can speak to:
- Residential Advisor/ Senior Residential Advisor in your flat/residence
- porter
- Residential Support team – If you are in university accommodation, there will be a porter or Residential Advisor who can contact the University’s Residential Support team to provide expert information and support with or without Police involvement.
If you live on campus, you can also contact our security team.
If you need help during weekday office hours (Monday-Friday, (9am-5pm), you can get extra support at the Student Centre by calling 01273 876767 or the University Counselling Service by calling 01273 678156. The staff are trained to deal with incidents of sexual violence – it is best to phone in advance for a priority appointment.