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Sexual Assault / Abuse Support

Checked: 28-02-2024 by Vicky Ryan Next Review: 27-02-2026

Sexual Violence Therapeutic Services (Avon & Somerset)

An alliance of organisations provides a range of therapeutic services (including helpline) for people who have been sexually abused or assaulted. There are services for people of all ages and genders. Provision is tailored to provide access for people who are neurodiverse, have learning disabilities, deaf or hard of hearing, asylum seekers and refugees. Services are provided both face-to-face and remotely, to individuals and groups.

Organisations within the alliance are:

Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Service (SARSAS)
The Green House
Womankind
Kinergy
Southmead Project

All referrals for the alliance service are managed by Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Service (SARSAS). Individuals can self-refer or professional can use a referral form. Referral details are found on SARSAS’s website

The alliance also works alongside other organisations including Barnardo’s, CAMHS and adult statutory mental health services.

In addition, the Survivor Pathway is a particularly useful resource, providing information about specialist sexual violence support service in the South West. Access the link and choose a county. Resources are then broken down by recent or non-recent sexual violence for Adults, 13 - 17 year olds and children 12 and under.

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

The Bridge SARC exists to support anyone of any age who has been raped or sexually assaulted.

The service is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and includes:

Medical care (including emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis, PEPSE)
Forensic examination and evidence gathering (if patient chooses)
Emotional and psychological support including early trauma interventions
Practical help
Information about reporting the rape or sexual assault to the police (if patient chooses)
Onward referral

Adults can choose to involve the police or not. The Bridge offers them the option of having evidence collected and stored, without the pressure to make an immediate decision about reporting to the police.

The Bridge is also a paediatric centre of excellence, staffed by doctors, paediatricians and nurses with expertise in the child sexual abuse field.

The Bridge is here 24/7, 365 days a year to offer professionals information and guidance if someone (adult or child) discloses to you that they have been raped or sexually assaulted. Tel: 0117 342 6999.

To make a referral to The Bridge, click the button on this page. Further advice and guidance is also available on the same web page.

Patients can self-refer and their contact with the Bridge will remain confidential, (within Safeguarding requirements). Tel: 0117 342 6999

The information provided is for reference only, please be aware that guidelines and pathways can change quickly, you can always ring The Bridge directly for information and guidance:

Email: thebridge@uhbw.nhs.uk

The Bridge is based in the Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, Bristol

Resources

Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse - Information to support people seeking asylum in the UK

There are English and translated versions of the sexual assault and sexual abuse booklet above which is aimed at people seeking asylum.

The publication is hosted by Migrant Help on their website https://www.migranthelpuk.org/sexual-assault-and-sexual-abuse-information

Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Information provided through Remedy is continually updated so please be aware any printed copies may quickly become out of date.