FAQ
What is rape?
Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 1.
1. A person (A) commits an offence if:
(a) he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis
(b) B does not consent to the penetration, and
(c) A does not reasonably believe the B consents.
2. Whether a belief is reasonable is to be determined having regard to all the circumstances, including any steps A has taken to ascertain whether B consents.
What is sexual assault?
Aside from rape, other types of sexual assault which happen without consent include being touched in a sexual way, penetration of the vagina or anus with an object or part of the body, and being forced to take part in sexual activity.
Who is the Emerald Centre for?
Anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted can come to the Emerald Centre & access the services.
Anyone who has experienced or reported a serious sexual assault in the past 6 months – men and women; if your experience is more historic (and you haven’t reported it in the last 6 months), you can still ring and get information about how you can get help.
How do I contact/ access the Emerald Centre?
Staff within the Emerald Centre are available to speak to Monday to Friday 9:00am until 5:00pm. You can contact us by email: admin.emeraldcentre@nhs.net or telephone 01234 897052. If you are still not sure what the Emerald Centre can offer you, or there are other questions you would like to ask please contact us.
What if I don’t want to tell you my identity?
You can keep your identity private if you want to – just give us a name you want us to use; we can use this even if we refer you on to specialist sexual health clinics or to other support services.
Is the service confidential?
Whilst the service is confidential and we will not pass on any information without your consent, the information you give to us can be given to police and the courts should you wish to take the criminal justice route. It will therefore not be confidential under those circumstances. In addition, there may be exceptional occasions where we will talk to you about making a disclosure where there is a child protection, public safety issue or if you or another person are at risk of significant harm.
What to do if you have been raped or sexually assaulted?
Steps to take:
1. If you just been raped or sexually assaulted get to a safe place and call 999 or contact The Emerald Centre.
2. Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault, unwashed and if possible place in a paper bag.
3. Do not:
- Shower, bath or wash
- Brush your teeth
- Disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred
- Try not to eat or drink anything
4. REMEMBER IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
In an emergency always dial 999
Do I have to be referred?
No, you can self refer and access all our services if you are 13years or over, but even if you are under this age you can still ring and get help to talk to someone. All you need to do is contact us on our help line number, or email us atinfo@emeraldcentre.org
Do I have to report it to the police?
You do NOT have to make a report to the police to access our service
It’s entirely your choice. No one will pressure you in to reporting the incident but will discuss the options open to you. If you decide that you don’t want to talk with the police, we can still offer you follow up care options and support packages.
Anonymous reporting
You can also choose to pass information about the incident to the police anonymously through our service. When passing this information on to the police, none of your details are required, you can give them as much or as little information as you would like. Informing the police of a sexual offence anonymously assists them gathering information that can help them build up a picture about particular sexual offenders which may eventually lead to their capture and/or connect similar crimes.For more information about anonymous reporting, please see our anonymous reporting tab on home page.
Time to think – The Emerald Centre is fully equipped for self-referrals and other non-police referral, we will be able to securely store evidence gathered during your medical examination and keep it whilst you think about what you want to do (usually this is six months, but can be longer). If you decide to report the offence, we will be able to help you with this process and the evidence will be available for the criminal justice process.
WE WILL SUPPORT AND RESPECT WHATEVER DECISION YOU MAKE
What if I am worried about pregnancy or sexual infections?
Our doctor or nurse can give you the morning after pill if you are likely to be pregnant as a result of the rape. Emergency contraception can be given up to 5 days after the assault; they will also risk assess you for sexually transmitted infection, including the risk of HIV and start you on immediate medication and directly refer you to a specialist sexual health clinic.
Why do I feel like this?
Victims of rape and other sexual assaults commonly feel a range of emotions and effects; you might be experiencing:
• Fear & distress
• Anger or frustration
• Guilty or self blame
• Helplessness
• Anxiety
• Sleeplessness
• Lack of concentration
• Afraid to go out
• Unable to make decisions
• Reluctant to talk to people or socialise
• Problems with family, friends or work
If you are experiencing any or more of these it will help to talk to a professional –
The Emerald Centre can help you and can also refer you to specialist rape counsellors.
What if I am a man?
Rape or sexual assault happens to both men and women; we offer a service to anyone in Bedfordshire tailored to your specific needs.
What if it is historic or happened a long time ago?
We will talk to you about the help and advice you need and put you in touch with the agencies that can best help you.
Will I be safe at the Emerald Centre?
Your safety is very important to us. The Centre is a secure centre and no one is allowed in without us knowing who he or she is. We can also give further advice if you have safety concerns following a sexual assault.
If you are concerned for your safety at any time, please contact police:
In an emergency always dial 999 and for non-emergencies call 101
Who can access the service?
Anyone who has experienced or reported a serious sexual assault in the past 6 months – men and women; if your experience is more historic (and you haven’t reported it in the last 6 months), you can still ring and get information about how you can get help.
Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 1.
1. A person (A) commits an offence if:
(a) he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis
(b) B does not consent to the penetration, and
(c) A does not reasonably believe the B consents.
2. Whether a belief is reasonable is to be determined having regard to all the circumstances, including any steps A has taken to ascertain whether B consents.
What is sexual assault?
Aside from rape, other types of sexual assault which happen without consent include being touched in a sexual way, penetration of the vagina or anus with an object or part of the body, and being forced to take part in sexual activity.
Who is the Emerald Centre for?
Anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted can come to the Emerald Centre & access the services.
Anyone who has experienced or reported a serious sexual assault in the past 6 months – men and women; if your experience is more historic (and you haven’t reported it in the last 6 months), you can still ring and get information about how you can get help.
How do I contact/ access the Emerald Centre?
Staff within the Emerald Centre are available to speak to Monday to Friday 9:00am until 5:00pm. You can contact us by email: admin.emeraldcentre@nhs.net or telephone 01234 897052. If you are still not sure what the Emerald Centre can offer you, or there are other questions you would like to ask please contact us.
What if I don’t want to tell you my identity?
You can keep your identity private if you want to – just give us a name you want us to use; we can use this even if we refer you on to specialist sexual health clinics or to other support services.
Is the service confidential?
Whilst the service is confidential and we will not pass on any information without your consent, the information you give to us can be given to police and the courts should you wish to take the criminal justice route. It will therefore not be confidential under those circumstances. In addition, there may be exceptional occasions where we will talk to you about making a disclosure where there is a child protection, public safety issue or if you or another person are at risk of significant harm.
What to do if you have been raped or sexually assaulted?
Steps to take:
1. If you just been raped or sexually assaulted get to a safe place and call 999 or contact The Emerald Centre.
2. Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault, unwashed and if possible place in a paper bag.
3. Do not:
- Shower, bath or wash
- Brush your teeth
- Disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred
- Try not to eat or drink anything
4. REMEMBER IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
In an emergency always dial 999
Do I have to be referred?
No, you can self refer and access all our services if you are 13years or over, but even if you are under this age you can still ring and get help to talk to someone. All you need to do is contact us on our help line number, or email us atinfo@emeraldcentre.org
Do I have to report it to the police?
You do NOT have to make a report to the police to access our service
It’s entirely your choice. No one will pressure you in to reporting the incident but will discuss the options open to you. If you decide that you don’t want to talk with the police, we can still offer you follow up care options and support packages.
Anonymous reporting
You can also choose to pass information about the incident to the police anonymously through our service. When passing this information on to the police, none of your details are required, you can give them as much or as little information as you would like. Informing the police of a sexual offence anonymously assists them gathering information that can help them build up a picture about particular sexual offenders which may eventually lead to their capture and/or connect similar crimes.For more information about anonymous reporting, please see our anonymous reporting tab on home page.
Time to think – The Emerald Centre is fully equipped for self-referrals and other non-police referral, we will be able to securely store evidence gathered during your medical examination and keep it whilst you think about what you want to do (usually this is six months, but can be longer). If you decide to report the offence, we will be able to help you with this process and the evidence will be available for the criminal justice process.
WE WILL SUPPORT AND RESPECT WHATEVER DECISION YOU MAKE
What if I am worried about pregnancy or sexual infections?
Our doctor or nurse can give you the morning after pill if you are likely to be pregnant as a result of the rape. Emergency contraception can be given up to 5 days after the assault; they will also risk assess you for sexually transmitted infection, including the risk of HIV and start you on immediate medication and directly refer you to a specialist sexual health clinic.
Why do I feel like this?
Victims of rape and other sexual assaults commonly feel a range of emotions and effects; you might be experiencing:
• Fear & distress
• Anger or frustration
• Guilty or self blame
• Helplessness
• Anxiety
• Sleeplessness
• Lack of concentration
• Afraid to go out
• Unable to make decisions
• Reluctant to talk to people or socialise
• Problems with family, friends or work
If you are experiencing any or more of these it will help to talk to a professional –
The Emerald Centre can help you and can also refer you to specialist rape counsellors.
What if I am a man?
Rape or sexual assault happens to both men and women; we offer a service to anyone in Bedfordshire tailored to your specific needs.
What if it is historic or happened a long time ago?
We will talk to you about the help and advice you need and put you in touch with the agencies that can best help you.
Will I be safe at the Emerald Centre?
Your safety is very important to us. The Centre is a secure centre and no one is allowed in without us knowing who he or she is. We can also give further advice if you have safety concerns following a sexual assault.
If you are concerned for your safety at any time, please contact police:
In an emergency always dial 999 and for non-emergencies call 101
Who can access the service?
Anyone who has experienced or reported a serious sexual assault in the past 6 months – men and women; if your experience is more historic (and you haven’t reported it in the last 6 months), you can still ring and get information about how you can get help.
Contact Details
Office: 01234 842750 (Weekdays, 9am - 5pm) Out of Hours: 0330 223 0099 (24/7 Helpline) admin.emeraldcentre@nhs.net |
AddressThe Emerald Centre SARC 1 Doolittle Mill Froghall Road Ampthill MK45 2ND |
Location |