If you have just been raped – or if you are with someone who has just been raped
Your immediate safety
If you are at home or in the home of someone else – has your attacker gone? If not, can you make yourself safe, contact a friend or family member or call the police? If you are in any danger call 999 immediately.
Do you have any injuries?
You may be in shock and be unable to feel any pain right now. Check if you are bleeding. If this is more than a very minor cut or graze, you may need to go to Accident and Emergency right away.
If you have bumped your head, or if you were unconscious for even a short time, you should go to Accident and Emergency at once.
If you are going to Accident and Emergency can you contact a friend or family member to go with you?
Archway Glasgow
If you decide to report directly to the Archway, you will need to contact them in advance to arrange an appointment. You can ring them on 0141 211 8175. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year.
You will be seen in the first instance by a female doctor and nurse who will ask you some questions about your immediate health and also about the assault and then they will begin a forensic examination (if you are undecided about going to the police). This is so that forensic evidence can be gathered to corroborate the evidence given in your statement. This is why you should try not to wash yourself or throw away any of your clothing. Your first instinct may be to have a bath or shower and get rid of your clothing but this evidence may be essential.
You may want to bring someone along to support you at this time but as waiting room space is very limited at the Archway this should only be one person. Check with the doctor you speak to when you call and ask about bringing someone along.
In Scots Law, in order to prosecute, there must be corroborative evidence – which means two or more pieces of evidence that support each other. As there is usually only one witness in the case of a sexual assault – the woman herself – the forensic evidence may corroborate the fact that the assault took place and may assist in the identification of the perpetrator.
Your clothes may need to be kept for evidence and you can be provided with clothing by the Archway or you may ask for a relative or friend to bring clothing to you.
Nurses will also make arrangements for you to have testing for sexually transmitted infections carried out two weeks post assault and will give you information about accessing support or counselling.
Not in the Archway area
If you live in an area not covered by the Archway Glasgow and you wish to report the rape or sexual assault to the police you should go directly to your local police station or telephone them to report the incident.
Police
At the police station you will have a statement taken and an examination by a police surgeon will be organised. Again, you should try not to bathe or discard your clothing.
You can take someone to the police station with you but they may not be allowed into a confidential interview and they may have to wait a considerable time.
(See section on ‘Rape and the Law’)
Your health
Emergency contraception
If you are concerned that you may become pregnant from the rape you may want to access emergency contraception. This should be done as soon as possible but certainly within 72 hours of the attack.
You can contact the Sandyford Initiative for more information on how to get your emergency contraception on 0141 211 8130 or at www.sandyford.org
STI testing and follow-up
You may also be concerned about contracting a sexually transmitted infection and will be able to discuss testing with staff at the Sandyford Initiative. You can contact their GUM clinic on 0141 211 8601 for more information or to book an appointment.
