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What services are available to victims of rape/sexual assault?
Dated: 06 Feb 2008
How to report a rape or sexual assault
This can be done by the victim or a third party by the following means... Call 999 – if you are in immediate danger or the offence has just occurred. Call the Northumbria Police control room on: 08456 043 043.
In person - at a police station. If you do not yet wish to report this to the police, then there are other agencies you can talk to such as: R.E.A.C.H. CentreR.E.A.C.H website R.E.A.C.H helps women and men aged 16 or over who have been raped or sexually assaulted. The centres are staffed by women who are experienced in dealing with the effects of rape and sexual assault. They will be happy to help you whether or not you wish to report the assault to the police. If you do decide to report it to the police, they can help you do that and act as a contact for you.
Victim SupportVictim Support website Victim Support is the national charity which helps people affected by crime. They provide free and confidential support to help you deal with your experience, whether or not you report the crime.
Rape CrisisRape Crisis website Rape Crisis provide advice and support to female rape victims.
Sexual Assault Counselling and Information Service – Tyneside Rape Crisis CentreTyneside Rape Crisis Centre website Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre (TRCC) is a local charity based in the centre of Newcastle Upon Tyne, providing services for women aged 16 or over who have been raped or sexually abused.
Women's Health Advisory Council (W.H.A.C.) Women's Health Advisory Council is a local charity staffed by women who provide free advice, support and counselling to adult women in Northumberland who have been raped or sexually assaulted or who are victims of domestic abuse. Telephone: 01670 853 977.
Victims of rape/serious sexual assault
Rape and serious sexual assaults by their nature have a traumatic effect on the victim, family and society. Northumbria Police is committed to the professional, ethical and compassionate investigation of such offences in order to help victims move their lives forward and to bring offenders to justice.
The force's proactive stance on the improvement of all aspects of these types of investigations has been recognised nationally. We work in partnership with other agencies who support the victims of such crimes and various services are available should you wish to talk to someone about what has happened either before reporting the matter to the police or after.
If you do not wish yet to report the matter to the police, you may wish to talk to someone in confidence from one of the other agencies, your GP or another health professional.
What is rape/sexual assault?
Rape
A person commits rape if he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person, with his penis, without their consent.
Serious Sexual Assault
Assault by penetration – a person commits assault by penetration if he intentionally penetrates the vagina or anus of another person with a part of the body or anything else without their consent.
Sexual Assault A person commits a sexual assault if they intentionally touch another person, the touching is sexual, and the person does not consent. Each report is taken seriously from the outset.
What happens when you report a rape or sexual assault?
A specially trained ‘Sexual Offences Liaison Officer Chaperone’ will be allocated to talk to you and support you throughout the investigation.
Initially you could be spoken to by a uniformed response officer or detective. If your report is made initially over the telephone, dependant on how recently it occurred, you may be asked to retain and not wash the clothing you wore at the time of the assault.
You can place these into a clean plastic bag if you wish to change them. The reason for this is to preserve potentially vital Forensic evidence.
You may be asked (dependant on how recently the incident occurred) to provide some ‘early evidence’ samples which may include a urine sample and/or a mouth swab. You may also be asked to agree to a medical examination.
The purpose of this is to assist in corroborating the report and to provide forensic evidence. Examinations are carried out by specially trained Forensic Medical Examiners (doctors with additional qualifications) and take place in the R.E.A.C.H centres ensuring privacy and comfort. The R.E.A.C.H centre offers counselling services and an appointment can be made for you by the SOLO Chaperone to attend an initial session.
You will also be given an information pack detailing other services available. A full investigation will take place and you will be asked to provide a full account of what has happened to the SOLO chaperone. This account will be used to produce a written statement, although in certain circumstances your statement may be taken using video recording equipment in a specially equipped suite.
You may already know the identity of the offender but if not every effort will be made in order to identify the person/s responsible. Northumbria police work very closely with the Forensic Science Service who provide a dedicated team of staff to use the latest in scientific techniques, particularly in relation to DNA technology, to assist both in identifying potential suspects and/or providing corroborating evidence for court.
Will the case go to court? Northumbria Police work in partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) who ultimately decide on whether a case will be taken to court based on various factors. One of these factors is that there is sufficient evidence to provide a ‘realistic prospect of conviction’.
If your case is brought to court then you will be fully supported throughout by the SOLO Chaperone and the investigating Officer in Charge (OIC). You will be kept up to date with court dates and what is happening each time. If you are required to give evidence there are measures which may be taken dependant on individual circumstances which can make this procedure more comfortable. The possible options will be explained to you by the SOLO Chaperone who will in turn discuss this with the CPS.
Prevention advice
Although these type of offences occur infrequently it is worth bearing in mind some basic safety precautions, particularly on nights out. Drug assisted rapes are not common whereas alcohol plays a part in many offences. Both can be prevented. General Safety Advice:
- Use public transport / reputable taxi firms for travelling home after a night out, or better still arrange a lift from a friend or family member.
- Avoid danger spots like quiet or badly lit alleyways, subways or isolated car parks. Walk down the middle of the pavement if the street is deserted.
- Plan your journey or night out and if possible let someone know where you are going and what time you will be home.
- Be aware of risks and avoid them.
- Drink alcohol sensibly and be wary of accepting drinks from strangers or someone you have just met.
- Encourage friends to watch out for each other on nights out.
- Ensure a friend looks after your drink if you need to leave it even for a short time.
- Consider carefully about leaving with someone you have just met in a bar, club etc.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust website contains good advice on personal safety and crime prevention issues
Useful links
Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre website
R.E.A.C.H Centre (Rape, Examination, Advice, Counselling and Help) website
Personal safety advice from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website
