PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
you are considering a medical or forensic exam after a suspected sexual assault and feel overwhelmed

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Get to a safer pause, then contact the sexual assault referral service for where you are: a SARC in England or Wales, SARCS in Scotland, or The Rowan in Northern Ireland. You can ask about medical care and a forensic medical examination without deciding to report to the police right now.

Do not do these things

  • Do not force yourself to decide about police, a statement, or what to call it right now.
  • Do not assume it is too late to ask about medical care, support, or a forensic exam.
  • Do not let anyone pressure you into an exam you do not want, or stop you from getting medical care you do want.
  • Do not confront the person involved, negotiate with them, or post publicly while you are in shock.
  • Do not attend alone if you would feel safer with support; ask whether you can bring a trusted person or have a support worker with you.

What to do now

  1. Check immediate safety first: If you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical help, call 999. If you are safe but want non-urgent police assistance, you can use 101.
  2. Choose the safest medical route: If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, or feel medically unsafe, call 999 or go to A&E if it is safe to travel.
  3. Contact the sexual assault referral service for your area: In England or Wales, ask for a SARC. In Scotland, use SARCS. In Northern Ireland, ask for The Rowan.
  4. Ask one direct question: “Can I self-refer and get medical care and discuss evidence collection without making a police report right now?”
  5. Ask what will happen before you agree: Say, “Please explain the medical care, the forensic exam, what I can pause or refuse, and what happens to any samples if I do not report now.”
  6. Ask for support at the appointment: Ask whether an ISVA, support worker, nurse, doctor, or trusted person can be with you, and whether you can take breaks.
  7. Use short phrases if you freeze: “I am overwhelmed.” “I do not know what I want yet.” “Please tell me before each step.” “I want medical care and I am unsure about a forensic exam.” “I need a pause.”
  8. If you may want forensic options later: If possible, avoid washing, changing clothes, eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, or cleaning the place where it happened until you have spoken to the service; if you have already done any of these, contact them anyway.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to report, name anyone, or pursue a case.
  • You do not need to write a full account or get your story straight right now.
  • You do not need to respond to messages or explain what happened to anyone you do not trust.
  • You do not need to choose between medical care and support; you can ask for both, one step at a time.
  • You do not need to know whether it legally counts before asking for help.

Important reassurance

Feeling overwhelmed, numb, frozen, disconnected, or unsure can happen after suspected sexual assault. You are allowed to take this slowly, ask for pauses, refuse parts of an exam, change your mind, and get medical care without committing to anything else.

Scope note

These are first steps only, focused on safety, immediate medical support, and reducing pressure while you decide what, if anything, you want to do next. Later decisions about reporting, evidence, health follow-up, or legal options may need specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, therapeutic, forensic, or professional advice. If you feel unsafe or need urgent medical help, call 999. A sexual assault referral service or specialist sexual violence support service can explain options without pressure.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

Support us