Specialist support for crimes of a sexual nature.
If you are concerned about your immediate safety, call the police on 999.
Only you can decide whether or not to report to the police. We know most victim-survivors do not tell the police what happened. However, many feel accessing independent support can help them to move forward.
If you are unsure if you would like to report, Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care can discuss your options and rights which may support you to make an informed choice. We are here for you if you want to talk about how you feel and work with other specialised agencies within Suffolk and Norfolk to enable you to get the help that you would like.
There are no time limits to report sexual violence to the police. If the crime is reported immediately, the police will arrange a forensic medical examination by medical staff to collect any evidence. (Keep any clothes which were worn at the time of the assault unwashed in a bag, if you can).
How to report:
- Contact the police on 101 (or 999 if you are in danger or it’s an emergency)
- At your local police station in person
We work closely with specialist support agencies to ensure you get the support you need. This includes the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Norfolk and Suffolk:
Norfolk – The Harbour Centre
The Harbour centre offers free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support, in Norfolk, to people of all ages, who have experienced sexual assault, including rape.
The Harbour Centre is open between 9 am – 9 pm (Monday – Sunday) and you can contact them on 0330 223 0099 or send an email to Norfolk.sarcreferrals@nhs.net
During this time, you can call to speak with a nurse for support and to discuss your options for making an appointment and/or a referral. However, outside of these hours, you can still contact us for advice and guidance.
You can also have support from an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA)
An ISVA is an adviser who works with people who have experienced rape and sexual assault, irrespective of whether they have reported to the police. The support that an ISVA provides will vary from case to case and will depend on the needs of the individual and their particular circumstances
ISVAs work in the SARC and provide free continuous support, advice and help for victims and survivors of sexual violence.
For ISVAs, please call: 01603 276381 or visit The Harbour Centre (ISVA link)
Suffolk – The Ferns
The Ferns offers free, confidential healthcare, and compassionate support, in Suffolk, to people of all ages, who have experienced sexual assault, including rape.
The Ferns is open between 9 am – 9 pm (Monday – Sunday) and you can contact them on 0330 223 0099.
During this time, you can call to speak with a nurse for support and to discuss your options for making an appointment and/or referral. However, outside of these hours, you can still contact them for advice and guidance.
Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs)
An ISVA is an adviser who works with people who have experienced rape and sexual assault, irrespective of whether they have reported to the police. The support that an ISVA provides will vary from case to case and will depend on the needs of the individual and their particular circumstances
ISVAs work in the SARC and provide free continuous support, advice and help for victims and survivors of sexual violence.
The Ferns is open between 9 am – 9 pm (Monday – Sunday) and you can contact an ISVA by emailing contact@suffolkisva.org.uk. You will receive a response to your email enquiry within 5 working days by someone from the ISVA team.
Please contact us to discuss how we can help you, or visit VS LINK which provides detailed information on the type of crimes and the support available through Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care
