Serious Sexual Assaults Campaign

West Yorkshire Police treats all reports of rape and sexual assault very seriously.

If you have just been a victim of rape or sexual assault please call 999.

The sooner that an assault is reported, the more evidence we will be able to collect to help bring the perpetrator to justice and make society safer for everyone.

Work has been undertaken to understand the sexual offences involving people aged 16 and over reported over a 12 month period to West Yorkshire Police. It was found that in approximately half the reported serious sexual offences, the perpetrator and victim were described as ‘acquaintances’, in some cases having met in a bar or club in the hours before the offence has taken place. Most perpetrators target individuals who are under the influence of alcohol between 12 midnight and 7am, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Police developed a series of posters displayed in shops, bars and clubs across West Yorkshire highlighting that activities such as walking someone home or sharing a kiss aren’t a crime, but rape is.

If you have been raped, please remember it is not your fault.  Regardless of what you might have been wearing, how much you’d had to drink or who was involved, we will never treat any type of rape as more or less serious than any other. West Yorkshire Police treat all reports of rape and sexual assault very seriously.

If you have just been a victim of rape or sexual assault please call 999. The sooner that an assault is reported, the more evidence we will be able to collect to help bring the perpetrator to justice and make society safer for everyone. 

West Yorkshire Police treat historic incidents of rape or sexual assault just as seriously as recent ones. If you would like to report a crime that has happened in the past please call 101 and a specially trained officer will attend.

We are dedicated to helping anyone; female, male or gender neutral, whatever your circumstances, who may have been a victim of this type of crime.

West Yorkshire Police has specially trained officers, who are dedicated to helping and supporting victims of all sexual assaults. These officers will investigate offences in a discreet and professional manner, offering support and guidance from the time of reporting through to the conclusion of an investigation.

We understand that reporting a rape or sexual assault can be an extremely difficult thing to do, but our first priority is your safety and security. We will do everything we can to make sure you and your family receive the best possible care and support.

All victims of sexual assault are given anonymity by law. No information which could identify you can ever be published, so there is no need to worry about anyone knowing what has happened.

 

Sexual Consent - an analogy using tea...

If you have any questions about sexual assaults, please try our “Ask the Police” FAQ database

 

How we deal with reports of rape or sexual assault

  • Following a 999 call reporting a rape or sexual assault specially trained officers from your local district will attend immediately.
  • These specialist officers will take information from you about what has happened. 
  • They will gather evidence relating to the suspect and if required, with your consent, will take you to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre for a medical examination. Our officers will do everything they can to put you at ease and feel as comfortable as possible.
  • After this, the case will be referred to the relevant specialist department; this could be the district CID, or the local Safeguarding Unit.
  • The type of crime, age of the victim and their location will determine which team the case will be referred.
  • All cases of rape or sexual assault will be different but in all cases the officers will be open and honest and do their best to minimise trauma and offer support for as long as you would like, including offering support from other agencies. 

 

Useful Contacts

 

You can contact the police 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the non-emergency number, 101.

If you are in immediate danger or there is a crime in progress, always call 999.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing in a non-emergency use Typetalk 18001 101.

You can chat online to the police using our Live Chat system.


Safeguarding Units

West Yorkshire Police has specialist officers in Safeguarding Units across the county, who will deal with all reports of sexual offences seriously and sensitively, putting the wishes of the victim first.
 

SARCs - Sexual Assault Referral Centres

SARCs are located across the country and available for everyone, regardless of gender, age, the type of incident, or when it happened. SARCs offer a range of services, including medical and forensic examinations and emergency contraception. They can also arrange access to an Independent Sexual Assault Advisor (ISVA), as well as referrals to mental health support and sexual violence support services.

 

Independent Sexual Assault Advisor (ISVA)

The role of the ISVA is to support people who have experienced sexual violence.  If you are going through the Criminal Justice System, your ISVA can support you throughout the process. The support can be practical, such as liaising with other professionals like your GP or finding other services that can help, such as counselling or other talking therapies. The ISVA can liaise with the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service on your behalf and provide support if the case goes to court.  Details of ISVA services are below :

  • Victim Support ISVA Service – 01274 535432 / 0300 3031971 – 8am-8pm Monday – Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm.
  • SARSVL - Support After Rape and Sexual Assault Leeds - 0808 802 3344
  • Bradford Rape Crisis – 0800 448 0710
  • Kirklees Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre – 01484 450040

 

Further additional information and support can be found here:

 

Other helpful contact information

  • West Yorkshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre – 0330 2233617 (The Sexual Assault Referral Centre will also take self-referrals should you be unsure about reporting to the police.)
  • Victim Support ISVA Service – 01274 535432
  • Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111
  • Support After Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL) - 0808 802 3344
  • Bradford Rape Crisis – 01274 308270
  • Kirklees Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre – 01484 450040

 

Page last reviewed November 2022.

 

Campaign posters / images

Having the last dance isn't a crime... rape is.

Having the last dance isn't a crime... rape is.

If it isn't yes it's rape

In an emergency dial 999

For help and advice call 101 or visit our website

Deaf or speech impaired: Text Relay 18001 101

Buying someone a drink isn't a crime... rape is.

Buying someone a drink isn't a crime... rape is.

If it isn't yes it's rape

In an emergency dial 999

For help and advice call 101 or visit our website

Deaf or speech impaired: Text Relay 18001 101

Sharing a taxi isn't a crime... rape is.

Sharing a taxi isn't a crime... rape is.

If it isn't yes it's rape

In an emergency dial 999

For help and advice call 101 or visit our website

Deaf or speech impaired: Text Relay 18001 101
 

Walking someone home isn't a crime... rape is.

Walking someone home isn't a crime... rape is.

If it isn't yes it's rape

In an emergency dial 999

For help and advice call 101 or visit our website

Deaf or speech impaired: Text Relay 18001 101

Sharing a kiss at Christmas isn't a crime... rape is.

Sharing a kiss at Christmas isn't a crime... rape is.

If it isn't yes it's rape

In an emergency dial 999

For help and advice call 101 or visit our website

Deaf or speech impaired: Text Relay 18001 101

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