Sexual Assault and Abuse
Sexual Assault
- It is important that you try and speak to someone as soon as possible if you have been sexually assaulted. This could be the police, your GP, a sexual health clinic, A+E or Rape crisis. They will help you decide what to do next
- Going to the police does not mean that you have to give a statement or be examined. However the police can advise you of what options there are
- If you have been injured and need emergency care you should attend Accident and Emergency (A+E)
Police involvement
- You should report a sexual assault to the police as soon as possible
- Forensic samples can be taken by the police doctor to be used as evidence in any prosecution
- You should avoid washing any of the clothes that you were wearing at the time of the assault
- Avoid washing yourself and cleaning your teeth
- If you think your drink was ‘spiked’ or have been ‘drugged’, blood or urine specimens for drug testing must taken as soon as possible, really within 12 hours, this would be done by the police doctor
- If you do not want to involve the police you should still get medical care. This can be done at a genitourinary medicine clinic
Genitourinary Medicine clinic
You can contact the GUM clinic yourself to arrange to come in, either ask to speak to a nurse or a doctor, or let the receptionist know that you have been sexually assaulted. We can then arrange to see you as soon as possible. You can get your GP or a friend to organize this for you if you find it too hard.
The genitourinary medicine clinic can:
- Test you for sexually transmitted infections
- Vaccinate you against Hepatitis B
- Give you emergency contraception if required
- Provide you with HIV post-exposure prophylaxis if required
- Provide support and help
- A genitourinary medicine clinic cannot take forensic samples
Some more websites for information:
Central Scotland Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre Tel - 01786 471771 or e-mail: csrcc@ic24.net
www.rapecrisiscentralscotland.co.uk
www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
www.victimsupportfalkirk.org.uk
Sexual Abuse
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse is any sort of non-consensual sexual contact. Sexual abuse can happen to men or women of any age. Sexual abuse by a partner/intimate can include derogatory name calling, refusal to use contraception, deliberately causing unwanted physical pain during sex, deliberately passing on sexual diseases or infections and using objects, toys, or other items (e.g. baby oil or lubricants) without consent and to cause pain or humiliation.
Child Sexual Abuse is any sexual act with a child performed by an adult or an older child. Child sexual abuse could include a number of acts, including but not limited to:
Sexual touching of any part of the body, clothed or unclothed;
Penetrative sex, including penetration of the mouth;
Encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity, including masturbation;
Intentionally engaging in sexual activity in front of a child;
Showing children pornography, or using children to create pornography;
Encouraging a child to engage in prostitution.
For more information on identifying and preventing child sexual abuse, please see this PDF Guide from NSPCC.
Potential Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse:
A noticeable fear of a person or certain places;
Unusual response from the child when asked if he or she was touched;
Unreasonable fear of a physical exam;
Drawings that show sexual acts;
Abrupt changes in behaviour, such as bed-wetting or losing control of his or her bowels;
Sudden awareness of genitals and sexual acts and words;
Attempting to get other children to perform sexual acts.
If your child discloses sexual abuse to you, please believe him or her and speak to a professional who can help.
If you consider the matter is urgent then you should call Central Scotland Police control room on (01786) 456000 or Out of Hours Social Work Departments Emergency Duty Team on (01786) 470500. You will be able to speak to someone there 24 hours a day.
If the matter is not urgent you can speak with officers from the Family Unit during office hours on (01324) 678884.
If you are a sexual abuse survivor, if you think you may have been a victim of sexual abuse, if you have experienced sexual abuse in care or if you are the parent of sexual abuse survivor you can access help and support from Open Secret.
Open Secret offer confidential and free services to anyone living in Forth Valley.
The Ethnic Survivors Forum is a new culturally sensitive service available for minority ethnic communities and professional bodies. The Ethnic Survivors Forum offers support services for minority ethnic adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
In Care Survivors DVD -
In Care Survivors DVD, a 14 minute DVD that tells the stories of 3 adult survivors who survived childhood sexual abuse whilst in care. In Care Survivors Service is partnership lead by Open Secret
For more information and support in relation to sexual health issues, please contact or make an appointment with one of our local services