If it’s just happened

SAFETY

• If you’ve just been raped or sexually assaulted, try to be somewhere that feels safe.
• If you are in danger, call 999.
• If you can, see if a friend or someone that you trust can be with you.

 

PHYSICAL HEALTH

• Have any injuries treated by your doctor or at a hospital.
• You can call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 for health information and medical help if there is something you are worried about.
• If there is a possibility of pregnancy, you may want to take the morning after pill (up to 72 hours after) or have a coil fitted (up to 5 days after). You can get the morning after pill free from your GP or sexual health clinic. If you get the pill over the counter from a pharmacist there might be a charge.
• You may want to do a pregnancy test. You can do this at your GP or the sexual health clinic. You can also buy pregnancy testing kits in pharmacies and supermarkets. They are accurate approximately 2-3 weeks after conception.
• If you are worried about sexual transmitted infections, you can have fully confidential information, treatment, and advice from your nearest sexual health clinic. You do not need a letter from your doctor. You do not have to give your name or say that you have been raped or sexually assaulted. You can take a friend with you for support or a worker from RASASH may be able to go to this appointment with you.
• If you wash yourself, use safe products, not household cleaning products as they can harm you.
• If you think you would like to report the incident to the police, phone 101 or 999 and keep evidence.
• You don’t have to make up your mind right away about whether or not to report. In case you do, keep the clothes you were wearing in a clean paper or plastic bag. Keep anything else that might have evidence (blood, saliva, semen) a clean paper or plastic bag.
• Forensic evidence can be gathered within seven days of an assault and you can self-refer for a Forensic Medical Examination. You do not have to report to the police first. You will still have a choice about whether to report or not after seeking a Forensic Medical Examination (FME). You can seek an FME from The Shores at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. You can take a friend with you for support or a worker from RASASH may be able to go to this appointment with you. For more information about an FME, please see our Advocacy page.

 

Text us for support on 07451 288080
or call 03330 066909
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 1pm - 5pm

Rape Crisis Scotland helpline 08088 010302
Daily 5pm-midnight

 

MENTAL HEALTH

• You may be in shock after what has happened. Sexual violence is traumatic, and something that can take time to process and heal from. You might want to contact RASASH’s support line, Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline is open every night from 5pm till midnight.
• RASASH is here for you if you need us – Sexual violence affects different people in different ways and you may have a lot of questions. If you’d like to talk to us about how you are feeling or what happened, you can get in touch with our support line.