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Immediate medical care after sexual assault
After a sexual assault, the first priority is your safety and health. You can get urgent medical help even if you are unsure whether you want to report the assault to the police.
Medical care may include treatment for injuries, pain relief, and checking whether you need emergency care. If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, call 999.
What the NHS can provide
The NHS can assess and treat physical injuries caused by the assault. This may include wounds, bruises, bleeding, fractures, or other urgent health concerns.
You may also be offered tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, and pregnancy prevention. This can include emergency contraception and, in some cases, HIV post-exposure treatment if it is needed quickly.
NHS staff can also check for signs of internal injury and provide follow-up care. They should explain your options clearly and respect your choices at every stage.
Forensic medical examinations
If you choose to report the assault, or sometimes even if you are unsure, you may be offered a forensic medical examination. This is done by a specially trained doctor or nurse.
The examination can help collect evidence and record injuries, but it is also a medical assessment. You can ask questions, stop at any time, and bring someone with you if appropriate.
In many areas, you can ask for an examination through a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, often called a SARC. These centres provide medical care, forensic support, and advice in one place.
Support from police services
The police can help arrange access to a forensic medical examination and may support you in reaching a SARC. They can also explain what happens if you choose to make a formal report.
Police officers are not the ones who provide medical treatment, but they can help connect you to the right services. If you do not want to report immediately, you can often still get help and keep your options open.
Charities and specialist support services
Charities can offer practical and emotional support alongside medical care. They may help you understand your options, arrange appointments, or go with you to a clinic or SARC.
Some charities also provide counselling, crisis support, and advice about sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, or sexual health services. They can be especially helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start.
You do not need to have proof or a police report to ask for support from many charities. Their services are usually confidential and focused on helping you access care in the way that feels safest for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical care can include urgent examination, treatment of injuries, pain relief, emergency contraception, testing and prevention for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy advice, emotional support, and referral for follow-up care. The exact support depends on local NHS and charity services and whether police are involved.
Eligibility is generally based on needing support after sexual assault, regardless of age, gender, nationality, or whether the assault was reported immediately. Some services may have specific referral pathways, but emergency medical care is usually available to anyone in need.
It is best to access care as soon as possible, but support can still be helpful days or weeks later. Some treatments, such as emergency contraception and certain infection prevention options, work best within specific time limits.
Care may be provided in an emergency department, a sexual assault referral centre, a GP surgery, or through specialist NHS and charity-supported services. Police can help arrange access, but medical treatment can often be sought without making a formal police report.
Not always. In many places, a person can receive urgent medical care and specialist support without reporting to police. However, some forensic examinations and evidence collection options may be easier to arrange if police are involved.
Yes, an examination may be included to check for injuries, offer forensic evidence collection if appropriate, and assess immediate health needs. The person should be told what will happen and can usually choose which parts of the examination to accept or decline.
Yes, STI testing is often included or arranged as part of follow-up care. Depending on timing and risk, clinicians may also offer treatment or preventive medication.
Yes, emergency contraception is commonly offered when pregnancy is possible after assault. It is most effective when taken quickly, and a clinician can explain the best option based on timing and individual circumstances.
Yes, pregnancy testing is often offered when there is a risk of pregnancy. A clinician may also discuss emergency contraception, follow-up testing, and options for ongoing reproductive health support.
Yes, immediate treatment for cuts, bruises, pain, bleeding, or other injuries is usually included. If more serious injury is suspected, urgent specialist hospital care may be arranged.
Yes, emotional and psychological support is commonly included. This may involve crisis support, trauma-informed care, referral to counselling, and safety planning, depending on available services.
Yes, children and teenagers can receive specialist medical care and safeguarding support. Services are usually arranged with age-appropriate procedures and may involve paediatric or child protection specialists.
It can be included if the person wants it and if the timing is appropriate. Evidence collection may involve samples, documentation of injuries, and secure storage of findings for possible legal use.
Yes, people can usually choose which parts of care they want. They can accept medical treatment while declining forensic examination, or accept some elements and refuse others, depending on the situation and consent rules.
Yes, follow-up care is often included or arranged. This may involve repeat STI testing, review of injuries, pregnancy follow-up, mental health support, and referral to longer-term services.
They can be included when clinically appropriate. This may include pain relief, emergency contraception, antibiotics, vaccines, or preventive treatment for infections.
Yes, interpreter support is often available so that the person can understand options and give informed consent. Services should aim to communicate clearly and respectfully in the person’s preferred language whenever possible.
It is usually confidential, but there may be limits if there is an immediate risk of serious harm or safeguarding concerns, especially for children or vulnerable adults. Staff should explain confidentiality clearly at the start.
Nothing is strictly required to access urgent care, but bringing any medication list, identification, glasses, and a support person if desired can be helpful. If evidence may be collected, the person may be advised not to wash or change clothes first, if possible.
They can contact emergency services if in immediate danger, go to an emergency department, contact a sexual assault referral centre if available, speak to police for assistance, or seek help from local NHS and charity helplines that can direct them to urgent care.
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