Rape and Sexual Assault
Has your husband, partner or anyone else forced you to have sex or forced sexual acts onto you? Have you felt too worried or scared to say no to sex or sexual acts?
Sexual assault includes lots of forms of violence, not just being forced into penetrative sex (the legal definition of rape). It can be anything from being forced into sex to being groped in a bar or shouted at in the street.
Sexual violence means any touching that you don’t want or that makes you feel uncomfortable, including when you don’t feel able to say no.
Sexual violence is never your fault, no matter what you were wearing, who you were with, where you went, or how much you had been drinking. The person who commits the assault is always to blame for making the choice to commit assault.
If this is happening to you, there are things you can do to help keep yourself safe. Click here to find out how.
If you have recently been raped, sexually assaulted or attacked, there is advice about steps you can take available on the Bristol Rape Crisis website.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for extra resources and information.
There are people who can help
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted you can get free confidential help by contacting any of the following organisations. They are all there to help and support you whether or not you report the assault to the police.
If you don’t want to call 999 you can call the national rape crisis helpline on 0808 802 9999 (free, 12-2.30pm, 7-9pm every day).
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The Bridge, Sexual Assault Referral Centre
The aim of the service provided at The Bridge is to empower and support victims of rape and sexual assault. If you are a victim of rape or sexual assault our specialist workers can inform you of your options and assist you in making your own decisions about your care.
0117 3426999
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SAFE link Rape and Sexual Assault Service
Independent sexual violence advisors (ISVA’s) are here to help you with the practical and emotional support you need to put your life back together.
0117 9250680
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The Green House Bristol
Offers a specialist free counselling and psychotherapy service to women, men and children who have experienced the trauma of sexual abuse or rape at any time in their life.
0117 935 1707
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Bristol Rape Crisis
A free confidential support service for women and girls who have experienced any form of sexual violence or intimidation at any time in their lives. Including rape, sexual assault, childhood abuse, coercion or stalking.
0117 929 8868
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Kinergy
Kinergy offers a confidential counselling service to men and women over the age of 16 who have experienced sexual abuse or rape. They provide a safe, accepting and supportive environment to talk about the past, enjoy the present and look forward to the future.
0117 909 7712
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Womankind
Womankind provides a confidential and professional counselling and helpline service for women who have been sexually abused or raped.
0845 458 2914
After calling the rape crisis helpline I felt so relieved to tell someone that my boyfriend had forced me to have sex with him. They were supportive and didn’t judge me. I felt like someone understood what I was going through.
Natalie from Bristol got support from Bristol Rape Crisis.
Resource Section
The section will give you further information on Rape and Sexual Assualt along with resources to assist you in helping people.
Coming soon…
