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

• Keep warm. If you need medical attention, you can self-refer to Sexual Assault Response Co-ordinator (a specialist unit at the hospital)  Link to information on SARCS.  They will look after your health and wellbeing needs.  You can also see your GP, visit A&E or phone NHS 24 on 111.
• If you can, try not to wash your body right away. That might feel really uncomfortable or even distressing, we suggest that as it can help preserve evidence in case you decide you want medical care or to report what happened., If you do feel like you need to wash yourself, use safe products.
• If you are worried about sexually transmitted infection, you can get free confidential support and testing at the Sexual Health Clinic, Gilbert Bain Hospital Link to information on the Sexual Health Clinic  You can book appointments online and also request a self-test kit.  You can take a friend with you for support or a support worker from the Compass Centre may be able to go to this appointment with you.
• If there is a possibility of pregnancy and you want to access emergency contraception you can get this for free from a pharmacy, your GP or the Sexual Health Clinic  Link to NHS Information on Emergency Contraception
• If you think you would like to report the incident to the police, phone 101 or 999 and keep evidence.
• You might not feel like reporting now, but you might in time. So keep the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault or anything else that might have evidence (blood, saliva, semen). Don’t wash these things. Put them in a clean plastic or paper bag.

Mental Health

People respond in many different ways after experiencing sexual violence, and whatever you’re feeling (or not feeling) is okay. Sexual violence is traumatic, and something that can take time to process and heal from.  We have information and resources on our site to support you Link to our resources page

RAPE CRISIS SCOTLAND HELPLINE - It is free to call and open every day from 6pm to midnight on 08088 01 03 02. You can also email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk The RCS Helpline is for anyone in Scotland (age 13 and over).

Link to Rape Crisis Scotland - I Need Help FAQ’s