Rape and sexual assault

If you talk to the police they have to take you seriously. Every situation is different. But talking to them means there is a chance that the person who raped you could be caught and possibly sent to prison.

If you have been raped recently, the police will often start with collecting some evidence. This usually involves taking swabs or samples from your clothing. Even if the rape happened a while ago, they will want to support you.

The police will also ask for a statement about what happened. Even if you feel embarrassed about some parts or can’t remember, it’s important to tell them as much as possible.

It’s a really good idea to ask a friend or an adult you trust to come with you to talk to the police so they can support you. It’s also okay to ask for a male or female police officer, if you would feel more comfortable with someone who is the same sex as you. 

If you were raped by somebody you know and trust, they might have made you think that it was okay. This can be called grooming - when somebody forms a friendship with you and then slowly starts to control you. They might have said that you agreed to it or that it’s your fault. If this has happened, it was not your fault no matter what they have told you. You trusted them and they have taken advantage of that trust. Sometimes grooming can happen online too – find out more.

Some people use violence and threats which can cause you to freeze up in fear. Rape is a really scary and shocking experience which can make it impossible to fight back.

It’s natural for your body to react to sexual touching. It is the way our bodies are designed and some feelings can happen even if you don’t want them to. It doesn’t mean that you enjoyed it or it was your fault. It is just a normal reaction. And it can happen to both girls and boys. Experiencing pleasure during rape could be a confusing thing to deal with. But remember that you have done nothing wrong.

No. it wasn't your fault. Drugs and alcohol can make it harder to say no. Rape is never okay.

Drugs and alcohol can leave you feeling confused about what’s happening, and your judgement can be affected. You might not feel as strong or able to get away from someone trying to hurt or rape you.

Taking drugs or drinking alcohol doesn’t  mean that you ‘asked for it’ or ‘deserved it’. What they did was very wrong, no matter what the situation was.

If you think you or a friend has been drugged, it’s important that you get medical help straight away. You can talk to  NHS 111  by calling 111. They can help you and give you advice on what to do next. Or you can call 999 for urgent help.

A nurse can do a urine test to see what type of drug (if any) was used and make sure that you’re okay. If you have been drugged, they may advise you to tell the police so they can be aware of it and help prevent it from happening to somebody else. Read more about seeing your doctor.

It's scary telling somebody that you think you've been raped. But it's not your fault. And support is available. Telling someone is often the first step to feeling better and getting help with the situation.

Your friend is likely to feel very scared and confused. The best thing you can do is to talk to them and let them know that you are there for them.

Try and encourage them to tell a trusted adult about it. This could be a teacher, nurse, your mum or dad or one of our counsellors. Find out more about helping a friend.