Sexual Assault

If you’ve been sexually assaulted, help is available. You are not alone.

I have been sexually assaulted, what do I do?

SARCs, or Sexual Assault Referral Centres, are specialist facilities that provide support to individuals who have experienced rape, sexual assault, or sexual abuse. In York and North Yorkshire, our SARC is called Acer House.

At Acer House, you will receive immediate healthcare and, if required, a forensic medical examination to collect and document evidence. The centre also has Video-Recorded Interview suites for North Yorkshire Police to take statements. You will not be pressured into reporting to the police, but Acer House staff will let you know the options available to you.

The team at Acer House are specialists in caring for people who have experienced assaults, and you'll be in safe hands. You can find more information on their website, as well as video walk throughs of their clinics here.

You can refer yourself to Acer House via their website.

I have been referred to sexual health after an assault

If you attend the SARC, you'll likely be referred to us for a follow up. We understand that this might feel scary and daunting after your experience, so here's what to expect from us:

1. First, Acer House will send us your referral. We ask their team to provide us with as much information as possible, so we know how best to support you and to avoid you having to relive your experience. 

You might be referred to us because:

• Infections can take a while to show up (for example, Chlamydia can take 2 weeks) so testing after their window periods is needed.
• You may have been started on PEP, to protect you from HIV, and we will support you to finish this treatment.
• You might need some vaccinations.

2. Once we receive your referral, you'll be added to one of our virtual clinic lists. You won't need to come into clinic at this stage - virtual appointments are over the phone. You'll receive a text letting you know when to expect the phone call from a nurse. The phone call will come from a withheld number.

3. When the nurse calls you, they'll go over some things with you and make a plan of action. If required, we'll arrange a time for you to come into clinic - we have 14 clinics across the county, so we'll find the one that works best for you. If you have a preference, please let the nurse know during the virtual appointment if you'd like to see a male or a female nurse when you come in, so we can facilitate this.

4. On the day of your appointment, you'll come into clinic and be seen by the nurse. Our appointments are longer than typical medical appointments, so there is no rush, and you will be fully in control of what's happening. The nurse will be aware of your situation, and will do everything they can to ensure you have a positive experience with us.

Just so you know, we test for STIs via urine sample, vaginal swab, and/or blood test. You can do the urine sample and/or swab yourself. If you have any symptoms, we may offer you an examination as it can help us with a diagnosis. Remember that it's your body, your choice.

5. After your appointment, if we need to see you again for a follow up, we'll book this in. If not, you'll receive your results in a text message within around 14 days. If you need any treatment, we'll be in touch again.

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Feedback

We appreciate how challenging seeking sexual healthcare after an assault can be. Below is some feedback from people who have accessed YorSexual Health services after an assault:

"My last 2 visits (+ a phone call in between) have been following a recent sexual assault and rape incident. The staff who have helped me and had contact with me have been so very kind, empathic, treated me with so much dignity and compassion, and have seen all aspects of me through this traumatic time. I could not have asked for kinder or more appropriate treatment in this very difficult time in my life"

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"I was seeking sexual health care after a recent rape incident and the care I was given and manner it was given in was exemplary. I felt so safe, cared for, and my health concerns taken as seriously as I was feeling them. Despite the trauma of the whole situation, this interaction and the thoroughness and time accorded to me gave me some hope in humanity in an otherwise quite dark time. I wish I had taken note of the nurse's name as she deserves to be noticed for her exceptional bedside manner"