What to do if you think you may have been sexually assaulted

If you think you may have been sexually assaulted, it is important to consider whether or not you would like to involve the police. If you would like to make a report to the police or you are unsure what to do, we recommend that you contact the local police directly on 101 or The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), which covers the whole of County Durham and Darlington.

The SARC is able to offer advice and help you decide if having a forensic examination (swabs done to look for the DNA of an alleged assailant) is appropriate. These examinations are usually done when you report a possible sexual assault within 7 days of its occurrence.

Our GUM clinics are happy to see all patients, regardless of whether you have already involved the police or not. We will offer you STI screening and a course of hepatitis B vaccination. We will also be able to meet any needs you may have for emergency or on-going contraception. We will assess your risk of HIV infection, and we may offer you a course of HIV drugs to reduce the risk. 

Turn to us, we are here - Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)