Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is a term used to describe any sexual activity that happened without consent.

Sexual violence can happen to anyone.

The perpetrator may be a stranger, someone known to you, a family member or an intimate partner. It may be a single event or happen repeatedly.

Sexual violence is never the fault of the victim. The fault lies with the perpetrator.

Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Please do not be afraid to ask for help.

Trigger warning (TW): the content below contains sensitive and/ or triggering information surrounding sexual violence. If you wish to proceed, please do so with caution.

There are different forms of sexual violence. For more information, please see below.

Rape: Rape occurs when someone does not give their consent for sex to happen. Rape is when a person intentionally penetrates another persons vagina, anus or mouth with a penis. Rape can be perpetrated by a single person or by multiple people, which is known as ‘gang rape’. Rape is not sex. It is sexual violence and a very serious crime that carries the same maximum sentence as murder, which is life in prison.

Stealthing: Stealthing is when an individual removes a condom during sex without the other persons consent, or when an individual lies about having used one in the first place. The law in England and Wales classes stealthing as rape. This means that someone who carries it out can be prosecuted for rape.

Sexual assault: This is commonly used to refer to any type of violence of a sexual nature or abuse that involves physical contact between the perpetrator and the victim/ survivor. This can involve the touching of skin, clothing or the use of something else to touch skin or clothing. This is classed as a serious crime which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Sexual violence that involves penetration of someone’s mouth, vagina or anus are considered different crimes: rape or assault by penetration, please see below.

Assault by penetration: Sexual assault by penetration is when someone penetrates another persons vagina or anus with a part of the body that’s not a penis or another object without their consent. This is a serious crime that carries the same sentence as rape or murder, life in prison.

Indecent exposure: Indecent exposure or ‘flashing’ is when someone deliberately exposes their genitals and they intend to be seen and cause alarm or distress. This can carry a prison sentence of up to two years.

Cyber flashing: This is a form of indecent exposure that takes place online. It can happen over text, email, Whatsapp, social media or on dating apps. It can also happen via Airdrop or other methods of sharing information.

Child sexual abuse: Child sexual abuse is any kind of sexual activity that happens to children or young people under the age of 18 and is either unwanted or involves pressure, manipulation, bullying, intimidation, threats, deception or force.

Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment is when an individual carries out unwanted sexual behaviour towards another person that upsets, scares, offends or humiliates them. This can include:

Sexual comments or noises, e.g. catcalling or whistling.
Sexual gestures.
Leering, staring or suggestive looks.
Sexual jokes, innuendos or comments.
Unwanted sexual advances or flirting.
Sexual requests or asking for sexual favours.
Sending sexual content via email or texts, including intimate pictures.
Sexual posts or contact via social media.
Intrusive questions or comments about a persons private or sex life.
Someone discussing their own sex life.
Commenting on someone’s body or their attire.
Spreading rumours of a sexual nature.
Invasion of personal space.
Showing images of a sexual nature.
Unwanted physical contact e.g. hugging, kissing etc.
Stalking.
Indecent exposure.
Upskirting (taking pictures up another persons clothing).

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): FGM refers to procedures that alter or cause injury to the female genital organs. It is an internationally recognised human rights violation and is illegal in England and Wales. It is also known as female circumcision. FGM is usually carried out on girls between infancy and 15 years of age and can cause a range of long- term physical and psychological health problems. There are no health benefits to FGM.

Spiking: Spiking is when an individual puts alcohol or drugs into another persons drink or body without their knowledge or consent. This is usually done to make it easier to rape or sexually assault the victim. ‘Date rape’ drugs are normally used to do this.

What do I do if I have experienced Sexual Violence?

Many do not know where they can go to get the support they need.

In recognition of this, the NHS is raising awareness of Sexual Assault Referral Centre’s (SARCs) and encouraging victims and survivors of sexual violence to seek help.

You do not need to contact your GP to access a SARC, you can self refer.

What are SARCs?

SARCs provide a safe space and dedicated care, through the NHS, for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and are here for everyone, regardless of when the incident happened.

These services are located across the country and available via appointment 24/7.

SARCs are commissioned by NHS England and the Police; they offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections.

SARCs can also arrange access to an independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA), as well as referrals to mental health support and voluntary sector sexual violence support services.

You can also visit the NHS page for more information: Help after rape and sexual assault – NHS

Bedfordshire and Luton SARC

The Emerald Centre offers free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support, in Bedfordshire and Luton, to people of all ages, who have experienced sexual assault, including rape.

Their SARC services operate between 9:00am- 21:00pm Monday- Sunday.

You can contact them on 0330 223 0099.

Website: https://www.emeraldcentre.org/

During this time, you can call to speak with a nurse for support and to discuss your options for making an appointment and/or referrals. However, outside of these hours, you can still contact them for advice and guidance.

Their services include:

Immediate over-the-phone rape and sexual assault support and signposting to specialist services.
In-person rape or sexual assault crisis support and healthcare including access to medicine.
Forensic medical examinations.
Holistic examinations and care for non-recent cases.
Collection and storage of forensic samples.
Referrals to specialist counselling and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) support.
Follow-up calls after an appointment.

Where can I find a SARC if I don’t live in Bedfordshire or Luton?

For SARCs in the area, please see below.

Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire:

Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes (SAASSBMK) provide SARC services to anyone living in these areas who have experienced sexual violence.

You do not need to see your GP to access these services, you can self refer.

Telephone number Milton Keynes: 01908 201971.

Telephone number Buckinghamshire: 01296 392468.

Website: https://saassbmk.org.uk/

Hertfordshire:

HERTS SARC provide SARC services to anyone living in Hertfordshire who has experienced sexual violence.

You do not need to see your GP to access these services, you can self refer.

Telephone number: 0330 223 0099.

Website: https://hertssarc.org/

Please see the leaflets below for more information:

Herts Adult SARC Leaflet

Herts SARC Young People 13-17 SARCs