If you have been a victim of sexual assault and you are in danger or in need of immediate medical care, call the emergency services on 999.
Try and get somewhere that is safe and warm
- The most important thing is your safety
Try to talk to someone
- If you feel able to, tell someone you trust what has happened. If you don’t feel you can talk to someone close to you, there are specialist organisations that will listen and support you.
Try not to blame yourself
- What happened to you is not your fault
The following are all people we encourage you to reach out to for a conversation, either people you trust or people we trust, all are here to help and will be a listening ear.
- Royal Military Police
- Unit Welfare Officer
- Chain of Command
- Army Welfare Service
- Aurora New Dawn
- Medical Centre
- Padre
- Colleague
- Friend
- Speak Out
You control how much information you are willing to give.
The following are the ‘proven routes’ to taking your situation forward; no lies, no agenda, just your options.
See further details below on this web page.
When deployed, you still have full access to the same next steps and helplines listed below.
In addition, please reach out to
- Your nominated medical provider
- Military Medical Officer
- Or for those assigned overseas, your nominated DPHC (Defence Primary Healthcare) practice.
They will seek to get you back to the UK as soon as possible and to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
The formal reporting crime line
- 0800 555111
Confidential reporting line
- 0800 085 0658
Aurora New Dawn
- 02392 479254
- [email protected]
Visit a NHS run Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) (UK only)
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted within the last 72 hours, we strongly advise that you go to a SARC.
Here they will be able to give you a medical assessment, gather evidence of the event that may help you in the future, and generally help you in seeking future support.
You do not need to go here alone.
Formally report
This is the best way to report an offence.
The Police will manage your case confidentially. You have the option to be referred to the Victim Witness Care Unit, who can provide guidance for evidence collection and support you throughout the process.
Alternatively you can make a formal report to the Royal Military Police (RMP) or the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU).
If you inform your Chain of Command they will help you through this.
Crime Line - 0800 555111
Disclose
The Medical Centre is a safe space to confide in.
Unless there is risk of harm to yourself or others, Medical Centre Staff will not report any further.
They will give you physical and mental help, refer to professional therapy and critically will be able to manage you 'at work' without divulging any details to the Chain of Command, even the Commanding Officer.
Anonymously inform
This is the best route if you are unsure if you want to formally report an offence.
This anonymous phone line allows you to inform confidentially of an incident without triggering an investigation but still receive a referral to the Victim Witness Care Unit.
At any point you can either cease proceedings or raise to a formal report.
Confidential reporting line - 0800 085 0658
Just Talk
Call or Text: Aurora New Dawn are the trusted and recognised civilian charity that the Army work alongside in support of victims of sexual offences.
They know what life in the Army is like, they do not have to tell anyone in your CoC and they are there for you wherever you are in the world.
If preferred, please email:
[email protected]
Aurora New Dawn - 02392 479254
The Survivors Trust
If you do not feel comfortable speaking to anyone in the Army, we recommend The Survivors Trust to help you move forward.
However, please note that by not informing the Army you will not be able to access the full range of support available to you whilst still enabling your career.
You can always seek support from the Army whenever you wish, at any time.