Rape and sexual assault

Have you experienced rape or sexual assault?

Sexual violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality or background. If someone has done something sexual to you without your consent, it is not your fault.

Support is available whether the assault happened recently or in the past and whether or not you’ve reported it to the police.

What is rape and sexual assault in law?

Rape 

Rape is when someone penetrates your vagina, anus or mouth with their penis without your consent. If consent was not given, it is rape regardless of the relationship between the people involved.

There are no circumstances where it is acceptable for someone to force you to have sex.

Intentionally removing a condom during penetrative sex without your knowledge or agreement (sometimes called stealthing) is also considered rape.

Assault by penetration 

This is when someone penetrates your vagina, anus or mouth with another part of their body or with an object without your consent. This is treated as seriously as rape by the courts.

Sexual assault

This includes any situation where someone intentionally touches you in a sexual way without your consent, forces you to kiss them, or makes you take part in any sexual activity against your will.

Sexual harassment 

Unwanted sexual behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable, frightened, offended or humiliated. This can happen at work, in public spaces or online.

What is consent?

Consent means agreeing to take part in sexual activity freely and willingly.

For consent to be valid, someone must have the freedom and capacity to make that decision. Consent cannot be given if someone is being pressured, threatened, manipulated or frightened.

Consent cannot be assumed, even in a relationship or marriage.

Someone may also be unable to give consent if they are:

• Asleep or unconscious
• Heavily affected by alcohol or drugs
• Unable to understand what is happening

Consent can be withdrawn at any time. If someone changes their mind and the other person continues, that is sexual assault or rape.

In the UK, the age of consent is 16, and a child under the age of 13 cannot legally consent to any sexual activity.

If you’ve experienced rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment

If something sexual happened to you without your consent, or you’re unsure whether what happened was okay, you are not alone.

It can take time to make sense of what you’ve experienced. What happened was not your fault.

Get the help you need

If you would like information, advice or emotional support, call us on 0800 876 6155. We can listen to what has happened and help you understand what support options are available.

Our opening hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8am – 6pm
• Wednesday: 8am – 8pm
• Saturday: 9am – 5pm
• Sunday: closed

You can get support whether or not the assault has been reported to the police.

Specialist support:

St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – Provides a comprehensive service for people in Greater Manchester who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Support is available for men, women and children, whether the assault happened recently or in the past.
Phone: 0161 276 6515

What St Mary’s can help with:

• Crisis support – Specially trained workers who can support you from the moment you arrive. They’ll help explain what’s happening, answer your questions and talk through your options.
• Forensic medical examination – If the assault happened recently (usually within 7 days), medical staff can check for injuries and collect evidence. This can be used if you later decide to report to police, but you can get support even if you don’t want an examination.
• Pregnancy advice – Discussion about emergency contraception if there’s a risk of pregnancy.
• Sexual health screening – Advice about testing for sexually transmitted infections and where testing can happen.
• Support through the justice system – Independent advisors (ISVAs) who can support you if you report to police or go to court.
• Counselling – Trained professionals who understand the impact sexual violence can have. A safe, confidential space to talk about your thoughts and feelings.

Rape Crisis England and Wales – National support service.
Phone: 0808 500 2222

We Are Survivors – Support for male, trans and non-binary survivors of sexual violence in Greater Manchester.
Phone: 0808 500 2222

If the assault happened recently

If the assault happened within the last 7 days, you may be able to have a forensic medical examination at St Mary’s SARC. This can help collect evidence if you later decide to report the crime.

You can still access support even if you don’t want an examination or don’t want to involve the police.

If you want to preserve possible evidence:

• Keep the clothes you were wearing
• Avoid washing those clothes
• Avoid showering is possible
• Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, brushing your teeth or going to the toilet if you can

However, your wellbeing comes first. You can still seek help even if these things have already happened.

Different types of rape and terms used

You may hear different terms used to describe sexual offences.

Date rape

This term is sometimes used when the victim and the person responsible know each other, for example if they are dating or socialising together. In some cases drugs may be used to make someone unable to give consent.

Knowing the person does not change the fact that sex without consent is rape.

Marital rape

Consent cannot be assumed in a marriage or relationship. Being married does not give someone the right to force sex. If this happens, it is rape and it is a criminal offence.

Gang rape

This is when someone is raped by more than one person.

Oral rape

Penetration of the mouth with a penis without consent.

Digital rape

Penetration of the vagina or anus with fingers without consent. In legal terms this is classed as assault by penetration and treated similarly to rape by the courts.

Anal rape

Penetration of the anus with a penis without consent. If penetration is carried out using another body part or an object, it is legally classed as assault by penetration.