What is rape or sexual assault?
Have you just been raped or sexually assaulted? Information on how to access help can be found here
Rape is any form of sexual activity that you don’t agree to, ranging from touching to penetration. Rape or sexual assault is a crime even if you already know the person who attacked you – if you are married, if the person is a partner or former partner, another family member, or a friend or someone you work with. It’s a crime even if you didn’t fight back. It’s a crime even if you were drinking, taking drugs, given drugs or unconscious. Anyone can be raped or sexually assaulted — men and women, children and elderly people.
What should I do if I’ve been raped or sexually assaulted?
If you have been raped, you should first get to a safe place and if your health is at immediate risk, call the emergency services on 999.
If your health is not at immediate risk and you want to report the crime, notify the police straight away. Reporting the crime can help to ensure your safety and the safety of other potentialvictims.
The St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester ( a service for women and men in Greater Manchester and Cheshire) provides support, advice and counselling for people who have been raped or sexually abused. Even if you do not wish to contact the police, they can arrange for you to be seen by an examiner, who can document any findings and collect evidence for use at a later date, if you do decide to contact the police at some stage. You can find their contact ber in the directory on this site or go to their website at link icon www.stmaryscentre.org
Rights of Women – Criminal law advice line for advice on issues including:
- sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault
- domestic violence and harassment
- reporting offences to the police and the criminal justice system
- the rights of victims, witnesses and defendants
- criminal injuries compensation
- Call 020 7251 8887 (telephone) or 020 7490 2562 (textphone) on Tuesdays between 11am-1pm and Thursdays between 2pm-4pm Rights of Women – From Report to Court Click here for A handbook for adult survivors of sexual violence
Survivors Manchester is a survivor-led/survivor-run voluntary organisation that aims to create and facilitate a safe space for male survivors of sexual abuse and rape to work through personal and sometimes painful issues. The work is concentrated on empowering men to make their own positive life choices and begin their own unique journey of healing. Being in contact with other survivors allows one to feel less isolated; feel connected and break the silence and legacy of abuse. Covers the Greater Manchester area. Contact Survivors Manchester at: P.O Box 4325, Manchester, M61 0BG or via email at info@survivorsmanchester.org.uk