Sexual Violence

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What is Rape and Sexual Assault?

Sexual violence and / or sexual abuse can happen to anyone. The terms cover an incredibly wide range of crimes that can affect people regardless of their gender, age, sexuality or ethnicity.

Being pressured or forced to have sex or engage in sexual activity when you don't want to is a crime.

Rape occurs when a male forces his penis into the mouth, anus or vagina of another person when that person doesn't want him to do so. The most important thing to remember is that you should never be forced to have sex when you don't want to.

Sexual assault
Sexual assault is a crime that can be committed by both men and women against men or women.
A crime has been committed if any of the following occurs when you don't want it to:
Having objects or body parts (excluding the penis) inserted into your vagina or anus
Being touched in a sexual way that makes you feel uncomfortable or frightened
Being sent sexual images via email, social media or phone ('sexting')
Being forced to watch other people have sex
Being forced to make or watch pornography.
Further help and information

If the rape or sexual assault has occurred recently, you should call 999 or 101 to enable it to be dealt with as urgently and effectively as possible.

Any sexual assault has the potential to cause a significant physical and emotional impact on the survivor and their loved ones.

Support is available whether it has been reported to the police or not. Also, it does not matter how long ago the abuse happened.

Help and support services in Swindon Wiltshire

Swindon SARC provides free support to anyone in Wiltshire or Swindon who has experienced any form of sexual assault either recently or in the past. You can contact SARC directly, or through the police.

The Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - First Light

Survivors can explore a range of options including a medical examination to preserve any evidence – this can done be whether survivors have reported to the police or not, in case they choose to in the future. Survivors will be supported throughout by a Crisis Worker. Swindon SARC can then support survivors with medical aftercare and make a referral to an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advocate) for longer-term emotional support.

Wiltshire and Swindon OPCC provide an ISVA service through First Light

Swindon & Wiltshire - First Light

An ISVA is an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate

ISVAs offer practical and emotional support to anyone who has experienced any sexual assault, either recently or in the past. They can help you to access support services depending on your needs, including safety planning and emotional support.

You do not have to report to the police to get support from an ISVA. However, they can support you through the criminal justice system if you decide to report the police, and unsure that other agencies provide you with information.

Sexual Violence Therapeutic Service

FearFree provides a free Sexual Violence Therapeutic Service in Swindon and Wiltshire which is designed for victims who have experienced sexual violence recently or in the past, to help them cope and recover. The service is available to anyone over the age of 5 and you do not need to report to the police to be able to access support. Support is designed to be delivered in a victim-led and trauma-informed way.

Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Violence Therapeutic Service - FearFree

Victims of sexual violence aged under 18 years

The Bridge Sexual Assault Referral Centre can help victims of Sexual Violence aged under 18 years. They offer information on free options available to victims, no matter how long ago the incident occurred, and regardless of whether you wish to report to the police or not.

I’m under 18 – The Bridge (thebridgecanhelp.org.uk)