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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
you wake up while someone is touching you sexually without consent

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

Short answer

Move out of the person’s reach and towards a safer place if you can. Call 999 if the touching is continuing or you are in immediate danger, then contact someone you trust or a specialist sexual assault service when you are safe enough.

Do not do these things

  • Do not feel that you must confront the person or demand an explanation.
  • Do not remain alone with them if you feel unsafe and can move away safely.
  • Do not pressure yourself to decide immediately what to call what happened or whether to report it.
  • Do not blame yourself for freezing, staying silent, feeling confused or reacting differently from how you expected.
  • If you may want a forensic examination, try not to wash or change clothes if that feels manageable, but support is still available if you have already done so.

What to do now

  1. Move to the safest available place. This could be behind a locked door, near other people, outside the building or somewhere the person cannot easily reach you.
  2. Take your phone, keys and any essential medication with you if they are within reach and collecting them will not increase the danger.
  3. Call 999 if the person is still touching you, threatening you, preventing you from leaving or otherwise placing you in immediate danger. If you cannot speak during a mobile 999 call, listen to the operator and press 55 if prompted.
  4. Contact one trusted person. Tell them where you are and ask them to stay on the phone, come to you or help you reach somewhere safer.
  5. Seek urgent medical help for injuries, possible drugging, pregnancy concerns or concerns about sexually transmitted infections. Use 999 for a medical emergency, or contact A&E, a GP, a sexual health clinic or the specialist sexual assault service for your part of the UK.
  6. Contact a sexual assault referral centre or equivalent specialist service when you are somewhere safer. Ask about immediate healthcare, emotional support and whether forensic options are available without making a police report.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether to report, end a relationship, tell other people, make a formal statement or work out every detail of what happened. Decisions about future contact with the person and longer-term support can wait until you are safer and have support.

Important reassurance

Being asleep is not consent. Freezing, remaining silent, feeling confused or not resisting does not make this your fault, including when the person is a partner, friend or someone you trusted.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety, specialist support and healthcare options only. Later decisions may require help from a specialist sexual violence service, healthcare professional or qualified legal adviser.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, therapeutic or other professional advice. Call 999 if you are in immediate danger or have a medical emergency.

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.

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