Sexual Assault Support

If you feel like you or someone else may still be at risk call:

On campus security: 333 from your room phone or (01792) 205678

Police: 999

If you are injured or need medical assistance, call 999 for an ambulance or Security 333 from your room phone or (01792) 205678.

If you are not at risk find somewhere safe and warm and call somebody you trust to support you. If you are in halls of residence this could be your RSA if you do not want to contact friends or family.

Although it may be discomforting to do so, if you have experienced sexual assault it is really important that you preserve any evidence which may help the police in the enquiries.  

To preserve evidence until the police have arrived try not to:

• Use the toilet or discard underwear or sanitary products

• Wash, shower, bathe or shave

• Wash your hands

• Remove, wash, discard or destroy clothing worn or bedding and towels used at the time of the incident or subsequent to it

• Drink or eat anything, including non-essential medication

• Clean your teeth

• Smoke

• Disturb the scene or allow other people or animals to enter the area where the incident took place, where possible.

Non-physical evidence, such as relevant texts, social media messages and emails should be preserved.

What you need to know 

• if you think you have been given any type of drug, it is best to be tested within 24 hours
• if you need emergency contraception, the medication should be started within 72 hours
• if you would like HIV prevention drugs, the medication should be started within 36 hours

If you have experienced sexual violence you are encouraged to make contact with the University’s Wellbeing Service or the  Student Union Advice and Support Centre. We are able to provide initial care and support and talk through options with you.  We are not here to judge or blame you. We will listen, offer support and advice. A member of the team can act as an ongoing supporting contact for you. 

If you want to report the incident to the police they will usually arrange for a SOLO (Sexual Offence Liason Officer) to come and see you once they have seen to your initial welfare. The SOLO will then normally take mouth swabs and urine samples as forensic evidence. They will also be your main point of contact during your case.

If you decide to attend a SARC or police station directly, it is important to take any underwear or clothing worn at the time of the incident in a plastic bag, if not being worn for the journey. The place of the incident should also be made secure if possible.

You might decide not to report the incident to the police. This is completely your decision and you will be respected and supported in whatever decision you make.  No one will judge or blame you. You can still speak to a member of the University’s Wellbeing Service of Student Union Advice and Support Centre who will support you.  It would be useful, where appropriate, to take photographs of the scene of the incident and keep any relevant clothes, bedding, text messages or emails etc as these can then be used if you decide to report what happened to the police in the future.

If you choose not to report the incident to the police, you can still access the services of the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).  The team at the SARC can see you without police involvement and book you an appointment as a self-referral.  They can collect evidence in case you later decide to report the incident and can also provide you with emergency contraception and sexual health screening.

A Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is a special facility where recent survivors of rape or sexual assault can receive immediate help and support. This includes access to a forensic medical examination, which is carried out by an experienced and qualified doctor, and the opportunity to speak to the Police about what has happened to them if they wish to do so. SARC clients also receive help and advice from one of a Crisis Worker who can offer to support them and stay with them throughout the process.

For more information on the advice and support SARC can provide, please visit http://www.newpathways.org.uk/sexual-assault-referral-centre/ 

New pathways - Sexual Assault Referral Centre

New pathways is a sexual assault referral centre where a range of specially trained, experienced professionals give help, support and advice to men, women, children and young people, following a sexual assault in Swansea or the surrounding areas. 
 

New Pathways
Unit 3
Langdon House
Langdon Road
Swansea
SA1 8QY

Tel: 01792 966660
Email: enquiries@newpathways.org.uk
Website: http://www.newpathways.org.uk

New Pathways provides a holistic service in a safe and comfortable environment that is client-focused. Anyone can refer to them. It doesn't matter how long ago an assault happened, or if you don't want to tell the police. 

Services include: 

- Advice, to help you decide the way forward. 
- Police interview facilitation, in a comfortable and confidential setting. 
- Emotional support and advice. 
- A forensic medical examination carried out by a specially trained doctor. 
- Ongoing support and advocacy through the criminal justice system. 
- Specialist counselling from an experienced and qualified Counsellor. 

For further information, contact by telephone, email or visit the website. the website link directs you to the New Pathways website which covers a number of areas across Wales. 

Out Of Hours Tel. No.: 07423 437020

If you report an incident of sexual violence to the police they will carry out their investigation. If a suspect is charged, the case will go to court.

You are encouraged to report any incident to Student Services who have specific staff to support students who have been a victim of sexual violence. A member of the team will discuss the next steps with you in regards to supporting you and any disciplinary action that we may take. Procedures are in place to manage any risk to yourself or other members of the university community. If you have reported the incident to the police, we will not take any action that may interfere with these investigations however there are numerous adjustments that we may be able to make for you. These include:

Academic Adjustments

Where appropriate adjustments will be made to enable you to continue with your course which may include:

• Submission of Exceptional Circumstances forms and letters of supporting evidence outlining that you have experienced ECs of a personal and confidential nature.

• Delayed assessment opportunities or further opportunities for assessment as a first attempt.

• Extensions to deadlines for the submission of written assignments.

• In some cases, alternative modes of assessment, eg. written work to replace group work or presentations, should be considered.

Exam Arrangements

Staff will liaise with academic schools and the Examinations Office to arrange:

• Examinations in an individual or smaller room.

• 25% extra time.

Teaching and Attendance

• Staff will liaise with academic schools to explain possible absences from classes.

• Notes for any missed lectures will be made available.

• Changes to the timetable and alternative teaching slots should also be considered if appropriate.

Leave of Absence

• If you feel like taking some time out from your course will be beneficial, a period of Leave of Absence will be authorised.

• Staff will provide appropriate supporting evidence for this and will advise you of any practical and financial implications of this.
• Staff will provide support through your period of leave, ensuring that contact is maintained following transition back into study.

Accommodation

• For students living in university accommodation, changing to another room on campus (if appropriate).
• For students living off campus, offer of a room on campus.
• Financial assistance with these costs.
• Additional security measures to be considered for existing accommodation (eg, window locks, security patrols, timing on automatic doors).

Equipment

• A replacement mobile phone and laptop can be lent to you if they are needed by police for forensic investigations.

Security

• You will be given appropriate telephone numbers to access out of hours support including, Emergency Services, Campus Security, Residence Support team (if appropriate) as well as provided with details of how to access the Universities ‘SafeZone’ App.

• Staff will ensure relevant information is shared with the University’s Security team so that additional security measures can be introduced. This could include additional surveillance and visits to halls and information about the alleged perpetrator where appropriate.

Reporting Process

If the alleged perpetrator is a Swansea University student some of the following actions may be taken against them:

• Internal disciplinary investigation.

• Restricted access to campus or specified areas of campus.

• Accommodation move.

The following organisations can offer further support to victims and supporters of sexual violence or gender-based violence:

• Rape Crisis: A free telephone helpline which can provide advice to women and men.
• Victim support: Options for support as a victim of crime
• NHS Choices: Help after rape and sexual assault
• BAWSO: Bawso is an all-Wales voluntary organisation, providing specialist services to victims and BAME people affected or at risk of Domestic Abuse and all forms of violence
• Swansea Women’s Aid: Swansea Women’s Aid is a women-only organisation which supports women, with or without children, who are affected by domestic abuse. 
• Support Line: Confidential telephone helpline
• Mind: Mental health charity
• The Survivors Trust: Specialist organisations throughout the UK
• Karma Nirvana: Charity that supports victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
• Survivors UK: A free and confidential telephone helpline for men and boys who are dealing with the effects of sexual violence.