It just happened
If you have just been raped or sexually assaulted, the priority is to make sure you are safe. We’re not an emergency service, so if you are badly injured or in danger, you need to call 999 straight away.
Even if you’re not in any immediate danger, try and get to somewhere you feel safe or be with someone you trust. We’re here for you when you’re in a safe place and ready to speak to us.
Taking care of your physical health
When you are safe, making sure you’re ok physically is the next priority.
If you’re injured
If you’re injured and need treatment, call 999 for an ambulance or go to your local A&E.
If you’re injured, make sure you get help and advice. There are a number of ways you can do this. You can call your doctor to speak to them or to get an emergency appointment.
Call NHS 24 on 111 for their help and advice.
Visit the NHS Inform website for information on what to do if you have injuries after an assault here.
If you’ve been raped, it’s important to check for sexually transmitted infections. There’s a free NHS sexual assault self-referral phone service open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0800 148 88 88.
If you want to know more, visit the NHS Inform website.
Your local pharmacy can provide you with emergency contraception up to 72 hours after. Or you can call 111 for advice.
Taking care of you emotionally
Talking to us can help. We offer a free, specialist Connect Live Helpline and Messaging Service.
We’ll listen, support and advise you so that you know what help is available.
Support if you report an incident
Reporting an assault to the police is your choice. We can guide you through your options if you are unsure what to do.
If you decide you want to report what happened to you, you don’t have do it alone.
Our expert Independent Advocacy Workers are here to give you advice, guidance and support at every step of the way. And if you’ve already been in touch with the police, we’re still able to help.
Capturing Evidence at a Forensic Medical Examination
You don’t have to report what happened to have a medical examination to collect evidence. Up to 7 days after a rape or sexual assault you can contact the Sexual Assault Referral Clinic (SARC) for a Forensic Medical Examination. They can collect and store evidence for over two years, giving you lots of time to decide if you want to contact the police. The clinic will never report an incident to the police unless you want them to if you are over 16.
The clinic for the West of Scotland is called Archway.
Call the clinic on 0141 211 8175. Find out more information here.
Free 24/7 sexual assault self-referral phone service 0800 148 88 88. Find out more information here.
If you are under 16, you can find out more information here: