Sexual Violence Information Leaflet
The aim of this leaflet is to provide you with details of places to get support or guidance if you’ve been subject to sexual violence. Which support services you access is entirely up to you, and if you have any questions about who to contact, contact the Student Union’s Advice Centre (warwicksu.com/advice) or Wellbeing Support Services (warwick.ac.uk/services/supportservices).
Sexual violence refers to any incident of unwanted sexual contact. If you have been affected by this then you are not alone. There is help available.
Who can help?
Emergency Support
Security (if you are on campus)
Telephone: 02476 522222
Police (if you are off campus)
Telephone: 999
Immediate Support
Blue Sky Centre, Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).
Provides immediate crisis support, medical care and optional police intervention. If you are not sure whether to report, or think you might at some point, forensic samples can be taken and stored so that evidence is available if you choose to report at a later date.Staffed 24/7.
Email:
Telephone: 02476 865505
Location: George Elliot Hospital, Nuneaton, CV10 7DJ
Ongoing Support
If your studies are affected, we would advise contacting Wellbeing Support Services, the SU Advice Centre, or your personal tutor to get advice on the options available to you e.g. mitigating circumstances, or taking temporary withdrawal.
Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC)
Free, independent and confidential support for anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse at any time in their lives.
Services include a helpline, therapeutic counselling and advocacy and support throughout the criminal justice process if reporting.
Email: (responded to within working hours)
Helpline Available Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and Mon & Thurs 6pm-8pm
Telephone: 02476 277777to access any of CRASAC’s services
SU Advice Centre
Provides free, confidential, impartial advice for all students and independent from the University. Based on the top floor of SU HQ.
Email:
Telephone: 02476 572824
Opening hours:Mon-Fri 9am-3pm (check website as times may vary)
Wellbeing Support Services
Offers help and guidance and can refer you to specialist services. Based on the ground floor of University House.
Email:
Telephone: 02476 575570
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm Fri 9am-4pm
Rugby RoSA (rosasupport.org)
Offers free counselling, support groups, and an ISVA service.
Helpline: 01788 551150
Safeline (safeline.org.uk)
Provides counselling, helpline and online support, and an ISVA service.
Helpline: 01926 402498
University Counselling Service
Provides therapeutic counselling for all students at any level or time at university.
Email:
Telephone:02476 523761
Location: Westwood House, Westwood Campus
Further Health Services
Coventry NHS Healthcare and Walk-in Centre
Range of services including sexual health services on floor 3.
Telephone: 03002000060
Location: Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry, CV1 4FS
Integrated Sexual Health Service
Free and confidential care and advice on sexually transmitted infections and contraception. Drop in or appointment.
Location: Floor 3, City of Coventry Health Centre, 2 Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry, CV1 4FS
Telephone:03000200027
National Support
National Rape Crisis Helpline
Provides emotional support and information for any survivor of sexual violence or abuse.
Freephone: 0808 802 9999(noon-2.30pm and 7pm-9.30pmevery day)
Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW)
Website provides information and advice including in relation to reporting to the police and information around heath and impacts of sexual violence.
Website: rapecrisis.org.uk
Domestic Violence 24 Hour National Helpline
Open to people of all genders affected by domestic & sexual violence.
Freephone: 0808 2000 247
Text support:07797 805839
Forward UK
Campaign and support organisation with focus on female genital mutilation (FGM).
Email:
Telephone: 02089604000
Open: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm
LGBT Foundation
LGBT Foundation provide a wide range of support services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.
Email:dation
Telephone: 03453303030(Mon-Fri 9am-9pm & Sat 10am-6pm)
Website: lgbt.foundation/get-support
Choosing whether to report to the policeIf you've been raped or sexually assaulted, it is entirely up to you whether or not you choose to report it to the police.No-one else can or should make that decision for you.
If you do chooseto report to the police, you should try to do this as soon as possible by contacting the police or the Blue Sky Centre SARC (number opposite) as soon as you can so that forensic evidence can be collected.
If you are not sure yet whether you want to report to the police, or think you might want to at some point, you can have a medical examination at the Blue Sky Centre SARC, and they will talk to you confidentially about your options around reporting and support your health needs.
Responses to sexual violenceThose who have experienced sexual violence can often struggle with feelings of shame, guilt and self-blame that can make it difficult to talk to anyone about their experiences. Survivors also often fear that others will blame them or that they won't be believed.
However you are feeling, try to remember that this is not your fault, you are not to blame, and you are not alone.
What is sexual violence?Sexual violence is any unwanted sexual act or activity that takes place without your consent. It can be perpetrated by a complete stranger, or by someone you know and trusted. Sexual violence can happen to anyone. No-one ever deserves it or asks for it to happen.
If you have been raped or experienced any other kind of sexual violence, no matter where you were, what you were doing, what you were wearing, what you were saying, if you were drunk or under the influence of drugs, it was not your fault and you did not deserve this. The only person responsible for it is the perpetrator.