Sexual Assault

“The only person to blame for a sexual assault is the offender”

Significant numbers of stranger sexual assaults occur whilst people are on nights going to pubs and clubs.

• Friends Together - Stay with your mates no matter what. You go out together, you come home together… and why not do this in a TAXI?
   
• Smashed - When you are drunk you are at your most vulnerable. Sexual predators may target those who are alone and out of control. Drink Safely.
   
• Spiking - Always keep an eye on yours & your friends' drinks and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know. Click here for more advice on spiking.

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.

Useful Contacts

If you or a friend have been subjected to a sexual assault please reach out for support and help. You can contact the Police anytime, but other fully confidential support agencies are available such as:

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.

• The Hazlehurst Centre - West Yorkshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre
   
• Find other Rape and Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services via NHS (www.nhs.uk)

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 – 01274 308270
• Kirklees Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre – 01484 450040

Further additional information and support can be found here:

• Rape Crisis England & Wales
   
• The Survivors Trust
   
• The Male Survivors Partnership
   
• Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111

What to know more?

Visit these sites:

NHS - Information and advice on drink spiking and date rape drugs

Knowledge www.knowledge-leeds.co.uk - providing students with practical advice on safety and crime prevention

Police 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

How West Yorkshire Police 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. 

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.)
• Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111
• Bradford Rape Crisis – 0800 448 0710 
• Kirklees Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre – 01484 450040