Safety
- Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, call 999 (or 112 from a mobile).
- Find a safe space - If an incident has just occurred, try to find somewhere you feel safe.
- If this isn't possible and you are scared or fearful, you can call security on 01225 87 5555 or the Police non-emergency number, 101.
Immediate help and advice
If you need medical attention – for urgent help, call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department. For non-urgent help, contact your GP surgery and request a same-day appointment with the duty doctor, or call NHS 111.
The Bridge (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers emotional and psychological support, and practical help to anyone in the Avon and Somerset area who has been raped or sexually assaulted, regardless of your gender, sexuality or identity. Their advisors are trained to look after the needs of a survivor of rape or sexual assault to ensure they receive the best possible care and understanding.
They also offer examinations for forensic evidence if the incident was less than 8 days ago. They can help with emergency contraception and connect you to sexual health testing. Contact them 24/7 for free on 0117 342 6999.
If you are elsewhere in the UK: Find rape and sexual assault referral centres - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Rape Crisis 24-7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line: Call free on 0808 500 2222
Support at the University
When you have experienced sexual violence, assault or harassment, there is no right or wrong way to feel. It may be that lots of complicated and conflicting thoughts are going through your mind, and the most important thing we want you to know is that you are not alone, and there is support for you at the University.
For BSU students:
- Sexual Violence Liaison Officer support – The University has specifically trained staff who can talk through your options and make sure you are able to access specialist and more general support.
- We know that when people experience sexual violence of any kind, it can have an impact on being able to engage or focus on your studies. Please consider submitting exceptional circumstances if your studies have been or are being affected. A Sexual Violence Liaison Officer can help you with this; you don’t need to share any details of what happened.
For BSU staff:
- Staff can speak with their line-manager, contact HR (directly or via the Request contact from an advisor form) and access the University’s employee assistance service - further information and access here.
Other sources of support
- The Bridge (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers emotional and psychological support, and practical help to anyone in the Avon and Somerset area who has been raped or sexually assaulted, regardless of your gender, sexuality or identity.
- If you are elsewhere in the UK: Find rape and sexual assault referral centres - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Rape Crisis 24-7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line: Call free on 0808 500 2222
Reporting what happened
- Deciding whether to report what has happened to you is a very personal decision
- We encourage all students who are considering reporting sexual violence to speak with a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer to make sure you have information about reporting and support options
- Reporting to the police. You can report a crime by calling the non-emergency number, 101 or online. You can be supported with this by Safe Link, an independent agency who advise and support people through police reporting for sexual violence.
- A Sexual Violence Liaison Officer can talk to you further about this and connect you to Safe Link.
- You can report an incident anonymously using the Anonymous reporting form. We will not normally be able to take any direct action as a result of an anonymous report or contact you to offer further support. Note that we cannot guarantee confidentiality for anyone named in the report, if there are risk concerns.
- If the perpetrator is a BSU student or staff member, you have the option to formally report this to the University as a disciplinary matter. Note that submitting a Report and Support form will not constitute a formal report itself but will connect you to further information about reporting options. Note that we cannot guarantee confidentiality for anyone named in a report, if there are risk concerns.
- BSUSU Advice Centre - a free, confidential, impartial service where an advisor can talk through the procedure, how to complain, what options are available and support you through the process. This support includes checking draft complaints and attending any meetings with the University.