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Page updated: 06 Apr 2011

Serious sexual assaults

In the year 2008/09, police recorded 32,355 sexual assaults on women in England and Wales, including 12,615 rapes. Many more offences are unreported.

Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.

A sexual assault can range from inappropriate touching, to a life-threatening attack, rape or any other penetration of the mouth, vagina or anus. It's a myth that victims of sexual assault always look battered and bruised. A sexual assault may leave no outward signs, but it's still a crime.

Victims are most likely to be young women aged 16 to 24. But men and women of any age, race, ability or sexuality can be assaulted. This could be by a stranger or, much more likely, someone they know. It could be a partner, former partner, husband, relative, friend or colleague.

Most sexual assaults happen in the home of the victim or perpetrator (the person carrying out the assault).

Sexual assault is an act that is carried out without the victim’s active consent. This means they didn’t agree to it.

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember that it wasn’t your fault. It doesn’t matter what you were wearing, where you were or whether you had been drinking. A sexual assault is always the fault of the perpetrator.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted

There are services that can help. You don’t have to report the assault to police if you don’t want to. Other services and organisations won’t insist that you do. However, consider getting medical help as soon as possible because you may be at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

If you get help immediately after the assault, try not to wash or change your clothes as there may be forensic evidence that could be important if you report the assault to the police.

Where you go for help will depend on what’s available in your area and what you want to do. The following services will provide care and treatment or refer you to another service if you need more specialist help (such as a forensic examination):

  • St Marys Sexual Assault Centre, St Marys Hospital Hathersage Road, Manchester 0161 276 1234
  • A doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery 
  • A voluntary organisation, such as Trafford Rape Crisis (0800 783 4608)
  • The free, 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 
  • The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre national freephone helpline on 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm every day of the year) 
  • A hospital accident and emergency department at Trafford, Manchester Royal Infirmary or Wythenshawe Hospitals 
  • A genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic at Trafford General Hospital or the Hathersage Centre at Manchester Royal Infirmary 
  • NHS Direct (0845 4647) 
  • The police
  • In an emergency, dial 999