Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week

We are supporting Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week which runs from 6-12 February 2023 using the hashtag #ItsNotOk.

The aim of the week is to encourage victims of sexual abuse and violence to speak out, promote services that support survivors of sexual abuse and share ways to prevent sexual assault.

Nearly half a million adults report being sexually assaulted in England and Wales each year, but real figures could be much higher, since many more instances go unreported.

The following services provide treatment or support, and can refer those affected to another service if they need more specialist help (such as a sexual assault referral centre):

• a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery
• a voluntary organisation, such as Women's Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust or Survivors UK (for male victims of sexual assault)
• the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247:the Rape Crisis national freephone helpline on 0808 802 9999 (12-14:30 and 19:00-21:30 every day of the year)
• a hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department
• a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic
• a contraceptive clinic
• a young people's service
• NHS 111
• the police, or dial 101
• in an emergency, dial 999.

If you've been spiked

Spiking is when alcohol or drugs have been put in your drink without your permission.

If your drink has been spiked or you've been injected with an unknown substance, and you think you've been sexually assaulted, go to your nearest sexual assault referral centre (SARC) for specialist care and support.

If you've been spiked but have not been sexually assaulted, call 111 for urgent medical advice if you have any symptoms you're worried about. Also, contact the police to tell them what happened.

More advice about spiking can be found on the Frank website.

Bright Sky App to help those suffering from domestic abuse

The Bright Sky App provides practical support and information on how to respond to domestic abuse.  It helps you to spot the signs of abuse, know how to respond and help someone find a safe route to support. It can be used by anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or by those who are worried about someone else. It is also available to use in Polish, Punjabi and Urdu.

The app is available for free on both iOS and Android devices via the App Store and Google Play Store.

For those aware that their partner or ex-partner monitors their device, the app can be hidden from view using the ‘cover mode’ and disguised as a weather app, game or a calendar app.

Further information about sexual health and sexual abuse is available here.