Everyone responds differently to the experience of sexual violence. There is no right or wrong way to feel, behave or deal with the aftermath.
It’s normal to have a mixture of confusing thoughts and feelings – or none at all.
Physical safety, health and emotional wellbeing are all considerations that survivors will deal with in their own time.
The most important thing to remember is that it is not your fault. Do not blame yourself. Rape is a serious crime that can never be justified, and it is never deserved.
If you have been the victim of rape, either recently or historically, and are looking for help, support is out there.
What is rape?
Rape refers to penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth with a penis without the other person’s consent.
The act of rape is unique from the broader crime of sexual assault, which covers any sexual act that happens without consent or that takes place forcibly against your will, and includes groping, forced kissing or sexual torture.
Anyone can be raped, regardless of sex, age, gender identification or sexual orientation, though it is a crime primarily perpetrated by men against women. According to Rape Crisis England and Wales, 91% of those prosecuted for sexual offences are men aged 18 and over.
Rape is a crime. However, if you have or think you have been raped, you do not need to report your experience to police either immediately, or ever, should you not feel comfortable doing so. Either way, support is out there.
Learn more about Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis is a feminist charity working to end rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse – and all other forms of sexual violence.
Whether it happened recently, or a long time ago; whether you know without a doubt that you experienced sexual violence, or aren’t quite sure; whether it happened to you, or someone you know; Rape Crisis will always believe you and listen to you, and they can offer you information and support.
You can find out more about Rape Crisis here; and if you’re aged 16 or over, you can call the charity’s 24/7 support line for free on 0808 500 2222.
How common is rape?
Between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, almost 70,000 rapes were recorded by police in the UK.
Nearly two million women in the UK aged 16 plus have been victims of rape.
One in two adult rape survivors have experienced rape more than once.
What to do if you have been raped or sexually assaulted
If you have recently been raped and you are still at risk, ring 999 and ask for the police.
Otherwise, the first step is to go somewhere you are safe. This may involve going to a relative or a friend’s house if the rape took place in your own home and you no longer feel comfortable there.
If you don’t want to contact the police yet – or ever – Rape Crisis suggest talking to someone you trust about what has happened. Telling someone does not mean you will have to make an official report to the police, or tell anyone else.
If you don’t want to talk to someone you know, you can ring one of the UK’s many rape and sexual assault helplines.
Anyone aged 16+ can contact Rape Crisis’s 24/7 Support Line by calling 0808 500 2222 or starting an online chat.
Trained staff will take your call, listen and talk you through all of your options, whether you have decided to take further action or not.
If you plan on going to the police, if possible, do not wash your clothes or shower, bathe or brush your teeth. If you do get changed, keep the clothes you were wearing in a plastic bag. Try not to eat or drink either. These steps will help to preserve any DNA evidence your attacker may have left on your body or clothes.
This Is Not Right
On November 25, 2024 Metro launched a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women called This Is Not Right.
Throughout the year we will be bringing you stories that shine a light on the sheer scale of the epidemic.
With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to educate, engage and empower our readers on the issue of violence against women.
You can find recent articles from the project here, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at [email protected].
Read more:
Where to go if you’ve been raped
If you have been injured (common post-rape injuries include bruising, pain and bleeding) you’re best advised to go to your nearest A&E to seek medical treatment.
You do not have to tell staff what has happened to you, although it may help the clinicians to give you the best possible care. Most A&E departments will also be able to connect you with further services.
If you are uninjured and feel comfortable to do so, you can contact and arrange to go to your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) (sometimes referred to as Sexual Assault Response Coordinator).
This is a safe place for anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality or identity, where you will be seen by specially trained doctors, nurses and support staff and offered medical, practical and emotional support. The NHS has information on where to find your nearest centre, and the police will also be able to take you there.
You can also go to one of Rape Crisis’ 38 centres across England and Wales, a genitourinary medicine clinic (GUM clinic) or a centre that provides sexual health services, which can contact a SARC on your behalf.
How to report being raped
If you want to contact the police, ring 999 or the police non-emergency line on 101. You will be put in touch with specially trained officers and offered a forensic medical examination if you haven’t had one. Most SARCs and sexual health centres can also contact the police on your behalf.
The police will ask you to write and sign a statement but your details will be kept as confidential as possible.
An Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) will often be on hand to help you through the reporting process, especially if you have come via a SARC.
Even after you have made a statement, you can still decide to withdraw from the criminal justice process at any time.
Learn more about rape in the UK
- According to Rape Crisis, 6.5million women in England and Wales have been raped or sexually assaulted, but 5 in 6 women don’t report rape
- The number of sexual offences in England and Wales reached a record high of 193,566 in in the year ending March 2022
- The Crown Prosecution Service revealed just 0.6% of rape reports are false allegations
- UCL research found that rape offences have the highest not guilty plea rate of any offence (85%) and this has been the case consistently for 15 years
- ONS data reveals almost half of all rapes are perpetrated by a woman’s partner or ex-partner, and End Violence Against Women have said that the victim knows the perpetrator in 85% of cases
- The ONS also found that more than 1 in 5 victims were unconscious or asleep when they were raped
What to expect after being raped
If you attend a SARC, you will be given the option of a forensic medical examination. This will always be carried out by a qualified doctor or nurse and only with your consent.
The best chance for preserving and assesing evidence is within 72 hours after the rape has occurred but evidence can still be present up to seven days later – and it can still be worth asking for a forensic examination after this period, if you want one.
A forensic medical exam will not only look for evidence of an attacker but can also check your blood levels and urine – and sometimes a hair sample – if you think your food or drink might have been spiked.
First, the doctor or nurse will ask for an account of the rape so they know where DNA and other evidence is most likely be found.
They will then use what’s known as a ‘rape kit’ (which includes things like swabs, forceps, and collection bags) to collect evidence. During the exam, they may take swabs from any part of your body where you may have been kissed, touched and had something inserted, as well as scraping under your fingernails and taking samples from any biological or external substance found on your body or clothes.
If your clothes need to be held as evidence, you will be given new ones to wear.
Any forensic material evidence that is collected can be stored at the SARC while you decide whether or not you want to report the rape to the police.
Other things to consider after rape
Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can both be consequences of rape and should be considered as soon as you feel able. Support is available.
STIs can be transmitted vaginally, anally or orally from someone who is infected, and an infection may be symptomless, so it’s important for your own health and safety to get checked. Most STIs can be diagnosed and treated easily.
If there is a risk you could be pregnant, you can get emergency contraception from the SARC, your GP or local sexual health clinic or a pharmacy. Again, you do not need to tell clinicians why you need it.
If your rape is historic
According to Rape Crisis, 1 in 3 adult survivors of child sexual abuse will not tell anyone what happened to them until much later in life.
Psychological or emotional distress is common for people who have been raped, and symptoms such as panic attacks, insomnia, flashbacks and self harm can appear at any time.
You can still access support, including from the police – there is no time limit on reporting and your account can still be used as evidence.
Your local SARC may be able to offer counselling services, or direct you to someone to talk to, and advice is on hand from charities like Rape Crisis regardless of where you are in your journey.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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