The Bridge > Support for you > I’m under 18

Help after rape and sexual assault

For free and confidential advice 24/7 365 days a year

Call 0117 342 6999

When did this happen?

Less than 8 days ago?

More than 8 days ago?

your-choicesYour choices

I do not want to report to the Police

  • We are here for advice and support
  • Call The Bridge on 0117 342 6999
  • A Crisis Worker will listen to what has happened to you and explain how we can help
  • We can arrange for our Specialist Nurse or Doctor to examine you to check you are OK
  • Depending on the timing we can take forensic samples that we can store until you are 25 (13-18 year olds who self-refer), in case you change your mind and want the police to be involved
  • You can have an examination even if you have already washed, although there will be more DNA evidence on your body if you feel able to wait until after an examination
  • You can also choose not to have an examination
  • We will make sure that your sexual health is looked after
  • We can give you emergency contraception if needed
  • We will offer you practical and emotional support, including referrals for counselling
  • You don’t have to have an examination to access all the help and support we have on offer
  • As you are under 18 we have a responsibility to ensure that you are safe and so we will need to have a discussion with our Safeguarding team and possibly Children’s Social Care

I want to report to the Police

  • Call the police on 101 or 999, if you feel unsure about this you can contact The Bridge for advice and support
  • A Specially Trained Officer will come to speak with you
  • The Police Officer may call The Bridge to arrange for a Doctor or Nurse to examine you to check you are OK, and to possibly look for forensic evidence
  • You can have an examination even if you have already washed, although there will be more DNA evidence on your body if you feel able to wait until after an examination
  • We will make sure that your sexual health is looked after
  • We can give you emergency contraception if needed
  • After you leave The Bridge an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser can support you with the police investigation
  • We will offer you practical and emotional support including referrals for counselling
  • Even if you report to the Police, you do not have to have an examination; it is your choice

I do not want to report to the Police

  • We are here for help and support
  • Call The Bridge on 0117 342 6999
  • A Crisis Worker will listen carefully and supportively to understand what happened to you, when it happened and what your situation is now
  • The Crisis Worker will explain what support is available to you and help you to decide on your next steps
  • Depending on what has happened and when, you may be offered an examination to check you are OK
  • The support we can arrange includes sexual health care, advocacy and counselling.
  • As you are under 18 we have a responsibility to make sure you are safe and so we may have to discuss your case with our safeguarding team and possibly Children’s Social Care

I want to report to the Police

  • Call the Police on 101 or 999, if you feel unsure about this you can contact The Bridge for advice and support
  • A Specially Trained Officer will come to speak with you
  • Depending on what has happened and when, you may be offered an examination to check you are OK
  • The Police may contact The Bridge to organise support including sexual health care, advocacy and counselling

Here, no matter what

We know how hard it can be to tell someone that you have been raped or sexually assaulted. No matter what happened to you, where you were, or who did it – The Bridge can help. We’re here 24/7, 365 days a year.

You may be confused about what has happened, overwhelmed, emotional or numb. You may feel alone, angry, ashamed or frightened – these, and many other thoughts and feelings, are all normal responses to being sexually assaulted or raped.

Call us on 0117 342 6999. We will listen to you and explain the help that is available to you and support you to decide what you want to do next.

If you want to speak to us anonymously that’s fine.

It is important for you to know that if we have your name and contact details we may need to tell the authorities about what has happened because you are under 18. This is so that they can make sure you are now safe and help you if you are not safe.

If we do not have your name and contact details we are unable to pass on information. However, we can still help you to think about your sexual health, emergency contraception, how to get to safety and getting support to help you start to feel better. We can also explain what is likely to happen if you decide to tell the police.

Are you ready to get in touch? Call us on 0117 342 6999

Info marker

If someone is trying to get you to do something sexual, possibly in return for gifts or money and you feel confused about it click here for advice by young people for young people.

Worried about sexual health?

Information Booklets for Children & Young People and Parents / Carers

Click here to download our guide for children aged 2-10.

Click here to download our guide for children and young people aged 10-17.

info-marker-light-blueResources

Help and guidance if you have been sexually assaulted, if you want to know how to support someone you care about.

info-marker-light-blueContact Us

Ready to get in touch? We’re here 24/7, 365 days a year. Information on the ways you can contact our specialist team.

Experiences

The Bridge has completely changed my life and my outlook on life. I’ve come to appreciate my life I have now even after everything that has happened. I feel like a completely different person, and other people have noticed the positive changes too. I would definitely recommended the Bridge to other people, I feel like the Bridge is the silver lining to the thunderstorm

From a counselling client at the Bridge