You don’t need to be an expert in sexual violence to lend a caring, supportive ear. It might feel like a daunting task, but the value of just being there for a survivor can’t be overestimated. Navigating a conversation can be difficult and you should be prepared for a victim to express a range of emotions, but there’s some sound advice from Rape Crisis England & Wales here on how to listen. Above all, believe what you’re being told, don’t judge, respect boundaries and remember it’s not their fault.
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If and when they’re ready, a local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can be a good place to start. They can attend without speaking to the police and still get a forensic exam, along with medical help with injuries, emergency contraception and STI and pregnancy tests. An Independent Sexual Violence Adviser can provide free, confidential and tailored support on everything from accessing specialist health care to navigating the judicial process. Find a local one through the Survivors Trust here. There’s also Survivors UK, which caters specifically to men and non-binary people. Longer term, Rape Crisis can signpost local counselling support. They have equivalent organisations in Scotland and Ireland.
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Sexual assault is a crime, full stop. By definition, it’s any sexual act, including intercourse and intentional touching, that they haven’t agreed to. For anyone unclear on what consent means – and what it doesn’t – Citizens Advice provides this guidance. If they’re ready to go to the police, they can try asking for a specialist Sexual Offences Liaison Officer. If not, a SARC can take both statements and forensic evidence, and store it in case they want to report a crime at a later date.
